Perfect Tigers a surprise for HouliJennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
Monday, April 15, 2013BACHAR Houli admits he didn't expect the Tigers to enter round four undefeated but says playing for each other is behind their recent success.
Richmond's 67-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday was its third in a row after beating Carlton and St Kilda in previous weeks.
Houli, who was one of the Tigers' best at Etihad Stadium, said the players definitely felt like the wheel had turned as far as their place in the competition was concerned.
"To be quote honest, I didn't really expect to be 3-0 but it's just great to see the momentum building and to see that we're winning close games," Houli told AFL.com.au.
"It's great to see the players are playing together and are playing for each other.
"You see people looking after each other by handballing and bringing people into the game and that's the environment we want to create here at Tigerland.
"It's very, very promising, and you know what? Teams out there are going to fear us and why wouldn't they? We're gelling really well as a group and we're moving forward.
"Our confidence is really high. We know we can get the job done, it's just about sustaining it for four consistent quarters and today was that."
Houli said becoming more defensively minded had become a major goal for the Tigers, as had running out games well.
In the first two matches, they've allowed their opponents to remain in the game instead of putting them away.
But on Sunday, they kicked 13 goals after half-time to the Bulldogs' seven to turn a 32-point lead to a 67-point win.
"We've come a long way. We've made it a massive focus this year, not only up forward but in defence and in the midfield," he said.
"When you haven't got the ball, it's time to locate the opposition and slow them down and turn the ball over."
Meanwhile, Houli had a moment to forget in the third quarter when he marked in the defensive pocket and attempted to kick across the face of goal to a teammate.
Instead of hitting a Tiger, he perfectly lined up an unmanned Liam Jones and gave the Bulldog a set shot directly in front, which he converted.
"It was all planned. I still hit a target," he joked.
"The boys got into me before when we talking in the hot and colds. They were saying there were a few guys who were really effective and didn't turn the ball over.
"I said, 'My efficiency was really good', and they all stopped and looked at me.
"I just started cracking up. It's one of those things that will happen probably once every two years and we had a bit of a laugh about it and I'm sure we will again during the week."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-15/perfect-tigers-a-surprise
