Star Tiger calls for more State-of-Origin gamesGlenn McFarlane
Herald Sun
19 Feb 2020Dual Richmond premiership defender Bachar Houli will live out a childhood dream by representing Victoria in Friday week’s Bushfire Relief fundraiser and wants to ensure AFL stars of the future get the same chance in the years to come.
Houli said he dearly wanted to see a State-of-Origin clash become a semi-regular event, saying the AFL should take note of how the best players in the competition have rallied behind such a worthy cause.
He was one of six Tigers named in the two 27-men squads, with Houli, Dustin Martin, Tom Lynch and Trent Cotchin to don the big V while Shane Edwards and Jack Riewoldt will play for the All-Stars.
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“Honestly, in my whole career, I never thought I would get this opportunity,” Houli said. “I am extremely humbled by it. At the age of 31, to be able to represent the ‘Big V’ is something that is very special and something I will honour for the rest of my life.”
“It (state games) is something that was missing for a few years and there are obviously reasons for that.
“But having this (game) is the beginning of something new.
“It’s a pity it is towards the end of my career … (but) hopefully from this, it is going to create something special moving forward.”
Edwards said he had no doubt that although there is only pride on the line, the competitive juices would ensure a high standard given the array of stars as well as a tough and tight contest.
He cited the recent NBA All-Stars game where it got very serious late in the contest when the game was in the balance.
“You can’t go in half-hearted, you pretty much have to go in as hard as you can,” Edwards said.
“As the game goes on, and quarters tick over, you would rather be on the winning side than the losing one.”
A recent trip to the Lakes Entrance region in Gippsland to speak with those affected by the bushfires deeply affected Houli.
“It was mind blowing,” Houli said.
“When we first turned up, the locals were a bit hesitant but once they felt comfortable, they opened up and shared a few personal stories.
“One that springs to mind was the young kids locked in the community hall and hearing that roaring fire.
“You can see the impact it had on the community. All we can do is to keep supporting them and showing them there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Shane Edwards has put his hand up to be the “run-with” player on teammate Bachar Houli in the bushfire relief game, but has no interest in shadowing Dustin Martin.
Edwards joked when asked if he could play on Martin: “Run with Dusty … I could probably run with him but when the ball gets there I might be useless.”
“I might be in the team just to tag Bachar.
“We might start the game on each other and we might end the game on each other.”
The versatile Tiger said he would be “running around with stars in my eyes” playing for the All-Stars against Victoria.
Asked which All-Stars teammate he was most looking forward to playing with, he said: “Where do you start? (Nat) Fyfe, (Patrick) Cripps, Elliot Yeo and seeing what Michael Walters does up close will be great. I’ve seen it from the other side, and it can be pretty devastating.”
“Then, there’s Brodie Grundy. I don’t know, I will be running around with stars in my eyes.”
He said the All-Stars might have to adopt the “Big A’ moniker to compete with the “Big V” as the two sides prepare to do battle on Friday week.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/bachar-houli-will-live-out-a-childhood-dream-by-donning-the-big-v-and-he-wants-future-stars-to-get-the-same-opportunity/news-story/bb40483003b9342113e9ac155c332546
