We continue our special post-season series revealing the thoughts of Richmond’s latest premiership heroes on that wonderful one day in September 2019. Today, it's the turn of All Australian defender Bachar Houli...
Grand Final lead-up
"The lead up to the Grand Final was quite different to 2017. Both years I had my (Bachar Houli) Academy running during Grand Final week so it was a great moment where you can shift your focus from yourself to others, and I think that helps…The difference between 2017 and 2019 is I felt there was a bit more expectation (in 2019). In 2017 we went in as underdogs…(to) just go out there to play and enjoy it. The same thing applied (in 2019) and the message from Dimma was ‘enjoy the moment’…but there was a bit more fear of failure...Every now and then I had to check in to realise that what we've been able to achieve so far, the evidence is there, so if we go in with that mentality, we should be okay."
The big game itself
"Once I got to the MCG I was super relaxed and ready to go…I had a few messages in my notes to remind myself of the situation I was in and how blessed I was and grateful for the opportunity to play in another Grand Final, the success we’ve had as a team, and personally, it’s been my best year in football…(The notes) put a smile on my face and the evidence was there, it was just about me going out there and enjoying myself and executing what I had to execute."
Celebrating the little moments as a backline unit
"Before the game, as a backline group, we spoke about celebrating every single moment out there, regardless of the score…It’s infectious and it feels great…I laid one of the first tackles of the game…and when I had Dylan Grimes come over to me and say ‘I’m so proud of you, what an effort’, it inspired me to do more…When (the opposition) sees (Richmond) celebrate things that are so small, it goes to show that there’s something special about this group."
First sense that Richmond had secured the flag
"I was very confident at half-time, but the job wasn’t done. Midway through the third quarter, that’s when I thought to myself, ‘is this really happening?’…The last quarter felt great, 10 goals up and I just wanted to really enjoy the moment with my teammates…As a collective, it was probably the 20-minute mark of the last quarter that I reminded everyone to enjoy the moment and soak it all in."
Highlight of the game
"The highlight of my game was Trent (Cotchin) kicking that goal and seeing his celebration…it was the proudest moment of my day because of what Trent has gone through. He’s a close friend of mine and seeing what he went through throughout the year…To see him ice the cake at the end was my proudest moment of the day."
At the final siren
"It was living in the moment. I was in the defensive 50 and it was different to 2017...Because we won by so much, I had more time to reflect and really take it all in. I remember celebrating with a couple of teammates really quickly and then went towards the opposition and shook hands with a few players. I thought to myself, there’s going to be a long time where I can enjoy this with my teammates, (so) respect the opposition, shake their hand, and congratulate them on the fantastic year they had."
The significance of being a two-time premiership Tiger
"It’s good to be able to contribute to a great Grand Final victory and it’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. I’ve played in two Grand Finals and I’ve had a half-decent impact in both games so it makes me feel proud of the position I’m in and very grateful for being a part of two great premierships."
