Richmond is confident it can match it with league leaders Hawthorn Bruce Matthews
From: Herald Sun
August 01, 2013 12:45PMRICHMOND players are concentrating on the positive aspects of their rise this season as a crucial part of preparations to face AFL ladder leaders Hawthorn on Saturday.
Rebounding defender Bachar Houli said the group was upbeat about the challenge at the MCG rather than dwell on the loss to Sydney last weekend.
"We're as confident as any other team we go in against. We've had a huge week and massive focus on what we've been doing right all season and that's our focus going into the game,'' he said.
"If we want to become that top four team, we've got to start beating these teams. We can't afford to beat the bottom eight teams and expect to be top four. If we want to start challenging in the competition and be right up there, we've got to start competing against these top teams.
"We've had a big week and today's our main (training) session. We're really focused this week, it's a massive challenge for us moving forward.''
Houli said the re-signing of Daniel Jackson and Dylan Grimes to follow Jack Riewoldt added to the upbeat environment at Punt Rd Oval.
"It just keeps the group gelled together and strong. If we want to head places in the future, we've got to keep these stars in the team,'' he said.
"It's great to see they're willing to take a pay cut just to stay in a successful team because we're developing and moving forward as a solid team.''
On whether it will influence midfielder Dustin Martin to follow, Houli said: "I think Dustin's management group is smart enough and speaking to Dustin, he's pretty passionate to stay, so we're pretty confident. He loves being at the club because he has got a great bunch of players and coaches who support him all the way.''
The Tigers multi-cultural ambassador said he will support his St Kilda counterpart Ahmed Saad in his fight ahead over the positive test to a banned substance.
"I think there's dangers in everything you consume and it's the responsibility of players to consult their doctors and physios and guys in the right areas to see what they're taking,'' Houli said.
"In terms of Ahmed, I haven't spoken to him yet and I won't comment until I've spoken to him. I'll support him from, I guess, the brother perspective.
"I've had a lot to do with him. I speak to him probably every two weeks. But I haven't spoken to him since the news has come out.''
Houli was delighted the Government has provided a $156,000 grant to the AFL to extend the Bachar Houli Cup and his work in getting kids from multicultural backgrounds involved in the game.
Multicultural Affairs Minster Kate Lundy, who was Minster for Sport when the Australian Crimes Commission report was announced in February, said she was proud of the developments since.
"The facts speak for themselves, the way this issue is unfolding that there is a clear understanding there are a range of issues, not just relating to performance-enhancing drugs, but the integrity of sport generally that deserves ongoing and very focused attention. And I believe Australian sport is given that attention,'' she said.
"The rest of the world is now looking at Australia and how we approach these challenges and we've led the world on these issues with an anti-doping authority in sport and to legislate to make match-fixing a criminal offence.''
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