Houli offered one-year deal by Richmond ... finallySam McClure
The Age
21 Aug 2019Richmond have finally offered Bachar Houli a new contract, after the premiership star had earlier expressed frustration as to how long the negotiations were taking.
It’s understood that Houli’s management is closing in on a one-year extension at Punt Road after receiving an official offer from the Tigers late on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Houli had told The Age he was questioning why he was yet to be offered a deal for 2020, given his rich vein of form.
The 31-year-old believes he’s playing the best football of his career.
While both parties are now close to finalising a one-year deal, the 200-gamer would have liked his future to have been secured earlier.
“Statistics will tell you I’m having the best year of my career and I do feel like I’m playing the best year of my career. I try to shy away from this, being a modest person,'' he said.
“But the reality is it feels good because I’m playing consistently and I’m part of a great culture.
“No contract at the moment which, I just, I’m still questioning why. But I’m confident enough something will happen in the near future.”
Coming to the end of his ninth season at Punt Road after making the move from Essendon, Houli has been a brilliant pick up for the Tigers.
He’s played 21 or more games in six of those seasons and is averaging 28 disposals in 2019.
“There was meant to be something there two weeks ago but it’s got to this stage where there still hasn’t been an offer,” Houli continued.
“Everyone wants certainty and direction in life, but I’m going to be very honest, I’m not overly stressed.
“I think that comes from one; being grateful for the opportunity and two having something to fall back on, away from football.”
Houli, who was speaking at the launch of his own NAB Mini Legend, can fall back on his foundation, which aims to engage young Muslim people to be positive community leaders through the vehicle of football.
The premiership star wants to put more time into the Bachar Houli Foundation once he does hang up the boots.
“I’m preparing myself, that day will come. Whether it’s this year or next year, I don’t think it will be this year, but in the years to come that I’m prepared for life beyond football.
“I’m extremely grateful being part of a great system in the AFL and a great club in Richmond, who has invested in me as a player and more importantly the stuff that I do off field.”
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/houli-offered-one-year-deal-by-richmond-finally-20190820-p52j2a.html