Player Watch #14: Bachar Houli - Retiring at the end of 2021

[smasha]

Lost it when he said Tiger For Life.

 

[windyhill]

He stuck it right up Essendon and reaped the rewards.

 

[richoplzbreed]

A great servant who will be missed. Cost the club nothing which makes his career even sweeter. Glad he retired and didn't try squeeze out another season elsewhere as the signs have been there a while now.

 

[RJK Tiger]

What an awesome guy and career. Without him, there is no Dynasty. The Dynasty only happens because of 2017 & without Houli & Rance's incredible defensive performance in the GF - we do not win that game, especially in the first half. His performance in that game was decisive to our win. He clearly wanted to go again based on his comments earlier this week - but I do think now is the right time for him. His body was not holding up as well as he thought - he leaves a massive hole in our backline though. I don't think Rioli is the answer there, so will be interesting to see what the long term plan is

 

[Apostrophe]

From afar seems a great bloke. And a great career. Respect.

 

[Rayzorwire]

Unfortunately it is Effective immediately. Always a shame when you dont know that you are seeing a player for the last game. Must be harder for the player to have it called by injury at a random point in a game.

Great shame for both Bach and Dave to not have a massive chunk of the Tiger Army give them the farewell they so thoroughly deserve. With any luck we can kick off next year with full crowds back and remind these two champions one last time how deeply appreciated their service was.

I'm taking heart from the fact that they'll both have the the sights and sounds from 3 glorious flags in their memories for the rest of their lives.

 

[partycorolla]

Great shame for both Bach and Dave to not have a massive chunk of the Tiger Army give them the farewell they so thoroughly deserve. With any luck we can kick off next year with full crowds back and remind these two champions one last time how deeply appreciated their service was.

I'm taking heart from the fact that they'll both have the the sights and sounds from 3 glorious flags in their memories for the rest of their lives.

At least we have some quality coming in for our homecoming hero bit for home games. We were scraping the barrel last time I was at a game.... I've actually forgotten who it was but remember thinking 'wow'.... I want to say Lionel Proctor but that wouldn't be right

 

[Nostradumbass]

At least we have some quality coming in for our homecoming hero bit for home games. We were scraping the barrel last time I was at a game.... I've actually forgotten who it was but remember thinking 'wow'.... I want to say Lionel Proctor but that wouldn't be right

 

[Rayzorwire]

At least we have some quality coming in for our homecoming hero bit for home games. We were scraping the barrel last time I was at a game.... I've actually forgotten who it was but remember thinking 'wow'.... I want to say Lionel Proctor but that wouldn't be right

LOL...been some *interesting* 'named after past players for each side' games in recent weeks too.

 

[partycorolla]

View attachment 1210812

Ah Strawbs.... the good old days when we would bring in washed up decent players so they could get a few more paychecks..... I could also get a seat at the ground pretty easily.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Ah Strawbs.... the good old days when we would bring in washed up decent players so they could get a few more paychecks..... I could also get a seat at the ground pretty easily.

You could take your pick for a seat back in those days.

 

[partycorolla]

You could take your pick for a seat back in those days.

I used to have basically a whole bay in the Ponsford part of the MCC.... shocking spot for watching footy but I loved it. I could yell and scream, pace up and down with no-one near me. The trade off.... we were putrid!

 

[RFCGloryJC]

Farewell to a champion.
Retired at the right time.
Retired at the peak.
Full credit to Dimma too.
Dimma has created a system which has enabled Bach to fulfil his potential as a player.

 

[GoTigers2015]

 

[Growapair]

Astbury homecoming hero round 1, Bachar Round 2. provided Tiger Army can attend. Make it happen

Surely Essendon will be getting Houli on the blower about going one more year under Rutten

 

[Vassp]

Well done bachar.... a great role model and player for our club! He nearly won two NS medals if it wasn't for a number 4.
Honestly, we lost two remarkable players this week to retirement. and maybe another as our dynasty winds up to an end.
These players cant be replaced right now. but I hope our new guys have something to aspire to.

 

[Vassp]

hey did bashar retire voluntarily? sounds like it was suggested?

Time to go fishing: Richmond flag hero Bachar Houli

14

Bachar Houli

Age

35

Ht

180cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.4

5star

K

12.8

5star

HB

9.6

5star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.5

4star

MG

431.0

5star

D

22.8

5star

K

10.5

4star

HB

12.3

5star

M

6.5

5star

T

2.3

3star

MG

302.8

4star

D

14.0

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

7.4

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.0

3star

in retirement shock, effective immediately (afl.com.au)

Edit, yep, it came from the top...Houli wanted to stay on.

 

[Grechy]

That 2017 GF goal. When you're in the moment you don't know how big it was until you look back. The MCG shook, when he kicked that goal you knew we meant business that day.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

heck this guy's a grub. Could've went with the congratulatory angle but to no ones surprise tries to make it a controversy. Then tacks the bit on the end to try and redeem himself. Virulent weasel.

 

[Vassp]

fu** this guy's a grub. Could've went with the congratulatory angle but to no ones surprise tries to make it a controversy. Then tacks the bit on the end to try and redeem himself. Virulent weasel.
View attachment 1211154

yeah but its true.....

His first line from his speech was (Half jokingly) sign a three year deal boys.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

yeah but its true.....

Not the point. It's actually just stating the bleeding obvious. The point is he's championed other retiring players in his little column before but because he's Richmond it's 'let's go the gutter angle'.

 

[Vassp]

Not the point. It's actually just stating the bleeding obvious. The point is he's championed other retiring players in his little column before but because he's Richmond it's 'let's go the gutter angle'.

"Bachar delt with it with pure class.".

The club could've done it better, I thought he had another year left TBO.

Let's not be the Tigers of old who fed our players and coaches to the lions.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

"Bachar delt with it with pure class.".

The club could've done it better, I thought he had another year left TBO.

Let's not be the Tigers of old who fed our players and coaches to the lions.

The fact he clearly hadn't been spoken to about it until basically the day he announced his retirement says either the club was waiting till the very last minute while behind the scenes plans took shape or they really let him down and botched it completely. Or, I guess when he said he 100% wants to play on it was with another club in mind and he changed his tune later in the week.

 

[Livonski]

Players never know when they're done. Always think they can go again...a good break, pre season...flying.
Decision is almost always led by management, whether directly or led to the obvious conclusion.
Nothing sinister, it's just human nature

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Players never know when they're done. Always think they can go again...a good break, pre season...flying.
Decision is almost always led by management, whether directly or led to the obvious conclusion.
Nothing sinister, it's just human nature

You'd assume at 33 either the club or Bachar would've broached the subject earlier in the year. The last minute nature of it seemed a bit weird.