Houli Rising Star

Bomber midfielder Bachar Houli was rewarded with the first AFL Rising Start nomination for 2008 following his 26 possession game against the Kangaroos on Easter Monday.

“It’s a great individual award, nothing that I ever looked at, and it’s just a bonus after round one,” Houli said. “That was the best game I’ve played so far. From a confidence point of view, it was a full strength team from both teams and just to go out there and do what I did with the help from the boys was just fantastic. What a way to start as a team and as an individual.”

Houli, who was drafted at Number 42 in the 2006 AFL National Draft, played five games in his debut season in 2007 after making his debut in Round 10 last year. He began his football career at Spotswood Under 12s before progressing through to the Western Jets at Under 18 TAC Cup level.

Of Lebanese descent, Houli is the first devout Muslim to play AFL football.

“Matthew Knights had a good chat to me in the pre-season and told me he wanted to see me take a step up to play in the midfield, and there was a role there for me to take.” Houli added. “I took that on board and tried to do everything possible to get myself in the best position, and thankfully, I’ve got that opportunity.”

“The aspect that I was most delighted with was his flexibility and his ability to play decent footy in all positions having spent time in the midfield, on the wing and also in the backline.” Essendon coach Matthew Knights said of Houli’s nomination. “The Rising Star nomination is a just reward for his performance having seen how much hard work Bachar has put into his football in order to become better and his constant desire to continue to develop.”

Posted 26 March 08 in News