Baloo, that's garbage.
I've never been Houli's greatest fan. And, as I posted in round 2 or 3 this year, it's always been due to a problem of balance. In previous years, our static and constipated game plan highlighted his flaws. Fortunately, his skillset was key for the direct, attacking nature of Tigers 2017.
He plays the loose man role which can lead to a lack of accountability. But when he provides enough drive, he makes up for that. The game plan this year suddenly tipped that balance in his favour.
His kicking has always been ambitious, and he's a bit like Dusty in the hit or miss stakes. Unfortunately, as an outside player, he isn't afforded those misses as often. The game plan this year meant he could more often go long and direct (precise kicking becomes gold/turnovers less dangerous) as opposed to short kicks backwards and across the ground, where turnovers turn games. Again, this year the balance has been in his favour, despite the justified criticism that he can still turn it over painfully and concede easy goals (he was leading in this stat AFL Wide). And as good as he was in the Granny, don't think that missed switch across goal to Astbury in the first quarter which gave the Crows a mini run on, and the missed set shots didn't hurt his norm Smith chances.
He is a premiership hero. And he stood up massively on the big stage. We may not have won it without him.
But, over the course of his career, he has had genuine and legitimate criticisms due to the role he plays, and the overall balance of his strengths and weaknesses.
It's pretty disgusting to come out now and label those who criticised racist.
Especially when you look at the parallels between he and B. Ellis. Brando had just as many knockers, played a similar role, had similar weaknesses and benefited I'm a similar way from the changes this year. And didn't he cop the whipping boy status. All without being Muslim.
Poor form, Baloo.
