Throughout his four-year league career at Richmond, following a four-season stint at Essendon, Bachar Houli has established himself as a key member of the Tigers’ backline.

Houli has played in 88 of a possible 90 games and generated considerable drive for the team through his rebound out of defence.

With the 2015 season now just over a couple of weeks away, Houli is eagerly anticipating the emergence of a couple of young players to further bolster Richmond’s back half, and provide him with some extra running support.

“We’ve got a really solid group, and we’ve gelled really well over pre-season,” Houli told ‘Roar Vision’.

“The likes of Jake Batchelor stepping up, taking his fitness levels to another level is very, very exciting because it gives me a little bit of a chop-out.  I don’t have to always get the multiple handball-receives. 

Sign up as a Richmond member for the 2015 season

“We’ve got Nick Vlastuin and Jake Batchelor, which will give me a bit of a chop-out. 

“I’m really looking forward to playing with quality guys such as Jake, Nick, ‘Rancey’ (Alex Rance) and ‘Chappy’ (Troy Chaplin).”

Houli played his first game in the AFL’s pre-season series, against Port Adelaide at Albury last Saturday, and was relatively pleased with how he performed.

Pick your Best 22 and win a 2015 team-signed guernsey

“I felt I was a little bit rusty,” he said.

“Some of my skills were a little bit off, in comparison to certain kicks that I would normally hit, but it’s just great to get some game time in the legs, and I’m looking forward to the next challenge this weekend.”