‘I felt like I had more in the system’: Houli retires effective immediatelyBy Daniel Cherny and Anthony Colangelo
The Age
August 19, 2021Bachar Houli has conceded he felt he had more to give to Richmond next year after the triple-premiership hero announced his retirement on Thursday morning.
Houli, 33, hangs up the boots after 232 games across four seasons at Essendon and 11 at the Tigers, where he was an instrumental part of the club’s modern dynasty including earning All-Australian selection two years ago.
Having struggled this season with an ankle injury, Houli has played his last match, in contrast to fellow retiree David Astbury, who will play against Hawthorn on Saturday in what is almost certainly the Tigers’ final game of the season.
However, despite the retirements of Astbury and Houli, and staring at their first finals-free season in five years, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick insists the Tigers are not entering a rebuild.
In a video posted to the Tigers website, Houli – who said last week he had been keen to play on next season - told teammates that the decision had come swiftly.
“Whilst this wasn’t a massive, massive shock, I wasn’t really ready for it,” Houli said.
“I felt like I had more in the system, so I haven’t had much time to think about this speech.”
But Hardwick said on Thursday morning that the decision to retire had ultimately been made by Houli.
“Both of those guys are incredibly selfless, will always put the club first,” Hardwick said.
“Once they sit down in the cold, heart light of day and look at what their career has produced both on and off the field, they put their hand up and decided to retire.
“Bachar was sitting down [this year] and doing tapes with three of the players that would take his position ... they got great learnings from those guys.”
Hardwick lauded the outgoing pair for their cultural contributions to the club.
“Those two guys have been incredible for us both on and off the field. Both retire three-time premiership players, but that’s only really scratching the surface of what both those boys have brought to our club. The legacy that they will leave and they’ve built can’t be measured, and to be honest, they can’t be replaced. It’s going to take a team effort to build our club up again with regards to the quality of those lads and what they’ve brought both on and off the field. It’s been an incredible honour to be a part of their journey and our players can feel incredibly privileged to be a part of their journey,” Hardwick said.
“They’ll always be Richmond men and always be welcome through our doors.”
Houli also thanked the Tiger faithful.
“I have been fortunate enough to play at two great clubs, and to be a part of the history of this game,” Houli said.
“Not only did I want to play as many games as possible, but I wanted to educate Australia, about my faith [and] about the religion of Islam, the religion of peace. I hope I have left a sense of peace in everyone’s heart.
“I sincerely thank the club and the AFL for allowing me to be me.
“It’s time to go fishing, Tiger for life.”
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/it-s-time-to-go-fishing-tiger-for-life-houli-to-play-last-game-against-hawthorn-20210819-p58k1f.html
