Houli finding his feetMartin Boulton
The Age
April 24, 2011IN HIS fourth year at the club that gave birth to his AFL dream, Bachar Houli was faced with an agonising decision.
It was round 19 last year, the Bombers had just lost to arch rival Carlton and Houli was dumped from the team the following week. He'd played just five games that season and none between rounds five and 16.
Sent back to the VFL again by coach Matthew Knights, Houli confronted his own frustrations and opted for a change.
''Matthew Knights departed the club at the end of the season, but I made my decision way before,'' he said.
''I was frustrated, but it wasn't until Richmond approached me and said they were extremely keen and told me exactly where I'd fit in this team - that made my mind clear.''
Today will be Houli's fifth game in succession - the first time he's played at least five senior games in a row since his second year at Windy Hill, when he played every game between rounds one and eight.
Sidelined with osteitis pubis after round 11 that season, his career lurched between the VFL and the odd senior game over the next two years.
Looking back to the loss against Carlton last year when he again slipped out of the side, Houli knows he made the right career choice.
''There was no tension at all between me and Matthew - we had a meeting every two months, we'd chat and he'd tell me where I had to get better. I'd go away, play in the VFL and do everything to the best of my ability and go from there.
''I was getting the feedback I needed, I was doing everything I could on-field week after week and not seeing the result in terms of selection. Nothing against 'Knighter', but I thought it was time for me to look elsewhere and seek another opportunity.''
Houli said the appointment of former club great James Hird as the new coach forced him to again consider his football direction, but his mind had already been swayed enough by the Tigers' hierarchy.
''The picture they provided me was too hard to refuse, it was a dream come true to be honest and [coach] Damien Hardwick has stuck by his word, he's put confidence in me and I haven't looked back,'' Houli said.
In his four games this season Houli has averaged 16 disposals, but more importantly he's re-discovered his passion for the game and said playing senior footy each week allows him to ''put my best foot forward'' and build confidence.
Away from football, Houli, who turns 23 next month, is studying part-time, working part-time and occasionally ''getting away from it all'' to enjoy a few hours fishing on the ocean in his boat.
''You need balance because six days a week [is spent] at the club, but that's what we get paid to do. On my day off I like to get away in my little tinnie, relax and drop a fishing line. It's always good to get away and forget about everything.''
Playing alongside rising stars of the competition such as Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and skipper Chris Newman has also fuelled Houli's resurgence.
The Tigers' thrilling draw with St Kilda in round two was a glimpse of what the team was about this year, he told The Sunday Age, but added there were no excuses for falling short of a win.
''The big thing for us is starting games well and we've put a big emphasis on that, but we've got a long way to go,'' he said.
''We've played four teams that will potentially [finish] in the top six and handled ourselves pretty well, but we should have a win or two on the board.
''The next four weeks is a massive block for us, we're going to try and get as many wins as possible and just play competitive footy.''
Individually, he aims to keep stringing games together and backing himself to do what he knows he's capable of at the highest level.
''It's all about confidence and any player would say the same.''
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