IT CAN'T have been easy for Bachar Houli to look James Hird in the eye and tell the Essendon legend he didn't want to be part of his new regime but the 23-year-old is starting to reap the benefits of his bold decision. 

After four years as a bit-part player under Kevin Sheedy then Matthew Knights, Houli was promised a fresh start at Windy Hill by Hird.

But the pent-up frustration born of working so hard to earn senior selection only to be cast back to the VFL ahead of so many others had taken its toll.

After 26 games as a Bomber, Houli wanted to swap his red sash for a yellow one and he wasn't going to be swayed.

Ten matches into the 2011 season if he's not feeling vindicated then he must be well on his way.

Houli, the 42nd pick at the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, has played every game for the Tigers this year and appears to have grown in confidence by the week.

Freed from the constant spectre of the selector's axe, he slowly built a base of form that saw him notch back-to-back 30-possession performances in the wins over North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions.

Houli equalled his career-best tally of 31 disposals in Saturday night's loss to Port Adelaide and was among the team's best players in the warm, humid and slick conditions of tropical Darwin.

Not only did he get plenty of the ball, which he disposed of at an efficiency rating of 81 per cent, he also shut out Port small forward Cameron Hitchcock, who was subbed off in the third quarter.

Coach Damien Hardwick described him as a "great addition to our footy club" after Saturday's game.

If the work rate, poise and intensity he showed in Darwin is an indication of things to come then both parties are going to be happy Houli had the courage of his convictions for a long time yet.