Looks great accross half back,another good performance & could be the recruit of the yr.(well unless you fork out 1.5 mil per season for someone)
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Bachar Houli - بشار حولي,
- Thread starter Baloo
- Start date
For once I've got total confidence when Newman and Houli are running out of defence can almost back it in 100% they're gonna hit a target.
Would normally say the same about Lids but he did one shocker last night just to prove no ones perfect
Would normally say the same about Lids but he did one shocker last night just to prove no ones perfect
btoz_01 said:Basher has a certain ring to it.
Only in the ears of the receiver
This guys is really found his niche at tigerland coupled with Newman, who delivered exquisitely last night, we have the tools to break open an opposition backline - the key should be to get adequate release by our forwards - Vickery is doing exactly what I have high hopes for Griffiths. Running crumbers like Hislop, Nahas and King with forward midfielders like Martin and Cotchin. Two to three years on this could look quite remarkable. Upgrading of our crumbers can only help.
Phar Ace said:Only in the ears of the receiver
This guys is really found his niche at tigerland coupled with Newman, who delivered exquisitely last night, we have the tools to break open an opposition backline - the key should be to get adequate release by our forwards - Vickery is doing exactly what I have high hopes for Griffiths. Running crumbers like Hislop, Nahas and King with forward midfielders like Martin and Cotchin. Two to three years on this could look quite remarkable. Upgrading of our crumbers can only help.
I think a special mention should also go to Rance.
Looks like we are half way to completing the spinal surgery, just need a CHF (hopefully Griff) and a CHB (hopefully Astbury). Not far away from top 4 if you ask me, just need to make the next few drafts really count.
bullus_hit said:
If Astbury becomes our CHB so be it, but I'll be surprised. He has all the hallmarks of a forward utility in what I've seen of him - play him tall on the wing even in the future if its required (a bit like Richo did).
Phar Ace said:
I see where you're coming from, I guess I'm looking at Harry Taylor and hoping Astbury becomes a similar type, time will tell I guess. If he doesn't make it as a CHB it might be tough for him as we have Grimes playing as the spare parts stopper. I suspect FJ and CC will be scanning the the draft for another key defender with a fair amount of dash, I reckon with a mid teens pick we will be well placed to pick from the best couple of prospects.
Lotta love on here for Bachar so reckon I'm gonna get slammed for this but here goes anyway.......
I'm glad he's got that left foot because in all honesty I only see him as a slight upgrade on McMahon
When he's given the ball, with time and space, he is lethal by foot.
I recall Hardwick being asked about him, after the Port Adelaide game in Darwin, where he was widely touted as one of our few positives on the night.
Hardwicks response went along the lines of "he was just OK in his view, good when he had the ball but not happy with his game when he didn't have the ball".
I thought this a bit harsh so have watched him pretty closely since to see if I could make sense of Hardwick's comments.
Last night Houli was very good when he had the ball. He was playing loose in defence for parts of the night, which really suits him to a tee. He receives the ball a lot and runs hard to present when he hasn't got it. It is obvious the players try to get the ball into his hands as he uses it well. The problem is when he has to compete in a one on one, he fails miserably. I did not see him win a single one on one last night. Last night it didn't hurt us but against better opposition it will.
He was let have a free run last night. I'll be interested to see what the opposition does in the next couple of weeks. They can either play a defensive HF on him or play a goal kicker on him who can exploit his lack of ability to win a contest.
If he can fix this part of his game up I'll be over the moon as he really is an A grader when he has the ball in his hands and time or space to use it.
I'm glad he's got that left foot because in all honesty I only see him as a slight upgrade on McMahon
When he's given the ball, with time and space, he is lethal by foot.
I recall Hardwick being asked about him, after the Port Adelaide game in Darwin, where he was widely touted as one of our few positives on the night.
Hardwicks response went along the lines of "he was just OK in his view, good when he had the ball but not happy with his game when he didn't have the ball".
I thought this a bit harsh so have watched him pretty closely since to see if I could make sense of Hardwick's comments.
Last night Houli was very good when he had the ball. He was playing loose in defence for parts of the night, which really suits him to a tee. He receives the ball a lot and runs hard to present when he hasn't got it. It is obvious the players try to get the ball into his hands as he uses it well. The problem is when he has to compete in a one on one, he fails miserably. I did not see him win a single one on one last night. Last night it didn't hurt us but against better opposition it will.
He was let have a free run last night. I'll be interested to see what the opposition does in the next couple of weeks. They can either play a defensive HF on him or play a goal kicker on him who can exploit his lack of ability to win a contest.
If he can fix this part of his game up I'll be over the moon as he really is an A grader when he has the ball in his hands and time or space to use it.
One-eyed Tiger said:
As long as people dont expect Houli to be a contested footy winner then they should be overjoyed with his output. It cant be stressed enough how important an outside player/ field kicker is for modern footy. The good thing about Houli is he is smart enough and quick enough to find space whether he is manned or not. Then his kicking really shines through.
He will never be a Luke Hodge, so i dont see the point in trying to groom him like that but damned he can kick as well as hodgey.
Jason King said:
Fair enough but I don't expect Houli to be a Brad Hodge type who wins the ball in a pack and then turns defence into offense. I just want him in a one on one defend/kill the ball, break even and force a ball up as a worst case scenario. Unfortunately whenever I see him in a one on one with no support around him, I far too often see him beaten and his opponent running away from him.
I agree that he is playing well, and am probably being harsh, but I reckon he can be better.
When I see him involved in running the ball out of the backline I feel good as I'm confident in his ability to do this and make good decisions.
When I see him deep in defence in a one on one I am filled with dread as I have no confidence in him in this situation.
Jason King said:
Totally agree with all of that. I was critical of Houli when drafted because of this perceived softness but his offensive qualities well exceed his lack of ability in the contest. He lost 3 one-on-one marking contests last night against a similar sized opponent and also panicked a little under a high ball that was contested and resulted in a goal in the 3rd. At this stage we are going to have to live with these "errors".
But, he is a massive upgrade on McMahon (apologies for the McMahon MKII calls Bacher), much better skills and smarter player. He is also harder at the contest than McMahon, I don't think he is weak or scared he just lacks ability in the contests. If he can improve his contesting ability he will be one of the better recruits of recent times.
He is much better than McMahon. For someone who was supposedly a good kick, McMuffin turned the ball over a hell of a lot. Houli also is good at thinking through a situation and using the ball to our advantage... Something I didnt see from Jordie.
One-eyed Tiger said:
I wasnt aiming that as an attack at you mate
Just a generalised ramble ! I do agree that he needs some sort of defensive skills as he does get toweled up in most ones on ones. He can indeed improve!Big Cat Lover said:
Thanks mate
Its amazing how much more settled our team feels with a proper outside player. But as yourself and One Eyed Tiger have stated, some more defensive skills so he can at least be accountable would elevate his game to bigger heights.
Sheesh.
Any comparisons to Jodey McMuffin are loughable.........................just loughable!
Any comparisons to Jodey McMuffin are loughable.........................just loughable!
