In the countdown to bouncedown season 2012, Tony Greenberg continues his examination on richmondfc.com.au of the burning questions on the lips of Tiger fans. Today’s question is . . .
Can Bachar Houli continue to repay Richmond’s faith in him?
After struggling to cement himself as a senior regular in four seasons at Essendon, Houli flourished in his 2011 debut year with the Tigers in his rebounding role across half-back.
His long, clearing dashes out of defence, and spearing left-foot kicks, helped set up many scoring opportunities for the team. Houli had the most marks at the Club for the season and finished in the Tigers’ top 10 for kicks, handballs, handballs received, inside-50 entries, rebound-50s and loose-ball gets.
He was rewarded with a fourth-place finish in the Jack Dyer Medal. The 23-year-old has no intention, however, of resting on his laurels and earning a reputation as a “one-season wonder”. He’s worked in typically diligent fashion throughout the pre-season, scoring an emphatic win in the Club’s first time trial of 2012 around the Tan, last month, and generally being a pace-setter on the training track.
You get the feeling that Houli, an all-round quality individual, is going to be an integral member of the Yellow and Black line-up for quite some time to come.
The next Burning Question will appear on Monday.
