'I was Bombers' scapegoat'By Adam McNicol
Tue 26 Jun, 2012VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139633/default.aspx#embedvideoplayerRICHMOND defender Bachar Houli says he quit Essendon because he believed he was being made a scapegoat for the club's poor performances during Matthew Knights' final year as coach.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with AFL multicultural round ambassador Leigh Montagna, Houli has revealed how frustrated he became with the Bombers' selection policy.
"I got my body to where I wanted it to be, and I was doing everything right in the VFL, and my performances in the VFL were showing that I was good enough to play at the highest level," Houli explained.
"Even (some Essendon) players were getting irritated about why I wasn't playing, and they were raising the question, 'Why isn't he playing?' (I still) don't know the reason."
The first practising Muslim to line up in an AFL match, Houli played only 26 games for Essendon during his four seasons at the club.
The 24-year-old says the final straw was when Knights dropped him back to the VFL after the Bombers lost to Carlton by 76 points in round 19, 2010.
Houli had gathered 18 possessions during the game.
"I guess I was one of the better players on the field, but I felt I was the scapegoat," he recalled.
"It was a real tough time, and I sat down with my manager and I said, 'Things aren't right here.'
"He knew, because he had a sense that things weren't right. He said, 'What do you want to do? I said, 'Let's seek another opportunity somewhere else."
Houli ended up joining the Tigers during the 2010 player trading period.
"I wanted to stay in Melbourne, and Richmond came up with the best offer … and Richmond were the best fit for the second part of my career," he said.
"Thankfully, they've provided me with a great opportunity. Last year I played 22 games and this year I've played every game so far."
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