Bachar Houli - بشار حولي,

[BBC]

You must have missed watching the Brisvegas game last week Elmer. Didn't you see Bash come back under the high ball into the path of Stumpy and the Brisvegas player?
Bash has plenty of ticker, he's not the bash and crash power player like a Jonno Brown or a Dusty Martin, but he goes to the contest and drops into the hole when needed. Bash's prime value ( apart from his laser kicking ) comes from his gut running to break the lines and create space, different kind of mental courage required but just as tough running till you chunder as crashing a pack.

100% agree

 

[Elmer]

You're not happy with his current output considering his cost Fudd? I was critical of some games early but the message is getting through. He's been V good of late.

He’s going ok Oldie and along with Grigg been a decent addition thus far. I didn’t actually comment on his cost/output I merely questioned LBC’s assertion that Bachar is now damning Essendon because most rated him. Did most people rate him? I recall a fairly prevalent perception prior to arrival (including here) was decent skills but a query on heart - head over the ball/attack on the man etc. A fairly measured remark, no? However LBC had a tizz due to his Bachar crush and revisionist stance.

Personally, I think he is playing well in a comparatively easy role for Richmond. I don’t believe the opposition put too much thought or effort into him yet – certainly not before Lids and Newman in similar roles. Should he maintain his current form and opposition start really going after him (lots of physical pressure, playing through his man, corralling onto right etc) and he comes through then I’ll join LBC’s love-in. After 12 games playing a predominantly 3rd string ‘receiver/deliver’ role in a poor side is way too early to say he’s turned his career around and damning Essendon.

You must have missed watching the Brisvegas game last week Elmer. Didn't you see Bash come back under the high ball into the path of Stumpy and the Brisvegas player?
Bash has plenty of ticker, he's not the bash and crash power player like a Jonno Brown or a Dusty Martin, but he goes to the contest and drops into the hole when needed. Bash's prime value ( apart from his laser kicking ) comes from his gut running to break the lines and create space, different kind of mental courage required but just as tough running till you chunder as crashing a pack.

I watched the game TM. Thought he was good, especially in the first half. However doesn’t change a common perception he had prior to arrival. What was yours?

Again, I’ve never said he needs or I expect him to be J Brown. However my point is illustrated by the BCL comment “Bachar still looks a little uncomfortable one on one in the air (note the 3 contests he was outmarked one on one in the Lions game by opponents of similar size) but isn't what I would call "soft". Is BCL is being a tad diplomatic? What’s uncomfortable mean?

While seemingly taking a bath on this I certainly don’t think Bacher has made it yet, that he’s stuck it up Essendon yet or that most rated him to be a success prior to arrival. He’s been good the last 3 games, ok overall. However still has a bit to go before completely removing the “uncomfortable” tag.

 

[rinso17]

He’s going ok Oldie and along with Grigg been a decent addition thus far. I didn’t actually comment on his cost/output I merely questioned LBC’s assertion that Bachar is now damning Essendon because most rated him. Did most people rate him? I recall a fairly prevalent perception prior to arrival (including here) was decent skills but a query on heart - head over the ball/attack on the man etc. A fairly measured remark, no? However LBC had a tizz due to his Bachar crush and revisionist stance.

Personally, I think he is playing well in a comparatively easy role for Richmond. I don’t believe the opposition put too much thought or effort into him yet – certainly not before Lids and Newman in similar roles. Should he maintain his current form and opposition start really going after him (lots of physical pressure, playing through his man, corralling onto right etc) and he comes through then I’ll join LBC’s love-in. After 12 games playing a predominantly 3rd string ‘receiver/deliver’ role in a poor side is way too early to say he’s turned his career around and damning Essendon.
I watched the game TM. Thought he was good, especially in the first half. However doesn’t change a common perception he had prior to arrival. What was yours?

Again, I’ve never said he needs or I expect him to be J Brown. However my point is illustrated by the BCL comment “Bachar still looks a little uncomfortable one on one in the air (note the 3 contests he was outmarked one on one in the Lions game by opponents of similar size) but isn't what I would call "soft". Is BCL is being a tad diplomatic there? What’s uncomfortable mean?

While seemingly taking a bath on this I certainly don’t think Bacher has made it yet, that he’s stuck it up Essendon yet or that most rated him to be a success prior to arrival. He’s been good the last 3 games, ok overall. However still has a bit to go before completely removing the “uncomfortable” tag.

 

[Big Cat Lover]

Again, I’ve never said he needs or I expect him to be J Brown. However my point is illustrated by the BCL comment “Bachar still looks a little uncomfortable one on one in the air (note the 3 contests he was outmarked one on one in the Lions game by opponents of similar size) but isn't what I would call "soft". Is BCL is being a tad diplomatic? What’s uncomfortable mean?

Uncomfortable isn't saying soft, I think he lacks the ability to contest well in the air and is often unable to effect a spoil. It's the only time he looks out of his depth. Not sure if it's technique, lack of effort, or simply he's never had enough practice.

I definitely thought he was soft, he kept going to ground in the pre-season and early matches which I thought was poor. But he is definitely winning me over with his offensive play, he hasn't jumped out of the way when he has to go, he is 10 x the player McMahon was and I hope he can improve his one on one contesting because he will be a much more effective player for us.

 

[5SKULL5]

Having read a lot of the posts here on Houli, I thought I might look at the posts about him on Bomberblitz, well, 70 odd pages about how ordinary and disloyal he is upto 1st May then after the dreamtime game, basically nothing, they have shut up over there.



Skull

 

[spook]

Uncomfortable isn't saying soft, I think he lacks the ability to contest well in the air and is often unable to effect a spoil. It's the only time he looks out of his depth. Not sure if it's technique, lack of effort, or simply he's never had enough practice.

He doesn't raise his arms above his head or get anywhere near the ball's highest point (in fact he does the opposite). That is fear of getting smashed. However, he's overcoming most of his softness issues, so hopefully he can work on this too. At the moment, once or twice a game he stands under a ball and you have no confidence in him whatsoever. But the rest of the time, 100% faith.

 

[lamb22]

Bashar has travelled below the radar for his performance on Saturday. 8 clangers and a lot of turnovers that resulted in goals to the opposition.

First I actually belive Bashar is getting better in his contested stuff and he was bit stiff at times with a couple of calls against him but he has basically ' got rid of the hot potato' indiscriminately a lot in earlier games as well but the adverse circumstances were not as apparent as they were on the weekend.

He helps with his run and kicking at times but really hurts with his defensive softness. Interesting to see if Hardwick keeps his nerve and keeps him down back or moves him more into an outside midfield role.

 

[Big Cat Lover]

Bashar has travelled below the radar for his performance on Saturday. 8 clangers and a lot of turnovers that resulted in goals to the opposition.

First I actually belive Bashar is getting better in his contested stuff and he was bit stiff at times with a couple of calls against him but he has basically ' got rid of the hot potato' indiscriminately a lot in earlier games as well but the adverse circumstances were not as apparent as they were on the weekend.

He helps with his run and kicking at times but really hurts with his defensive softness. Interesting to see if Hardwick keeps his nerve and keeps him down back or moves him more into an outside midfield role.

He was unlucky to be sold into trouble a couple of times and was blindsided by his own player when he ran into trengove and got pinged. But he lacks composure when tackled, he rarely gets his arms free to make an efective disposal and most times coughs it up. Melb didn't give him a lot of time, reckon there was an extra focus on him given his good form. Other teams will look to reduce the time and space he gets when in possession.

 

[lamb22]

Yep got sold into trouble by Newman and Mcguane but pretty soft efforts especially the Watts goal.

I actually liked Bashars attack on the ball when he got pinged for holding (tough call) and when he coughed it to Jurrah, but he has consistently just thrown the ball anywhere all year when in those situations rather than taking more contact workig harder to keep the ball away from the opposition.

Melbourne made him pay though.

 

[pebsy54]

Poor Bachar, is stuck in the defensive 50 with McGuane, Rance and Gourdis, none of whom have any creativity or much of an attacking part of their game. He is the release player and often gets the ball under pressure with these other three guys often not offering any option.

Defensive players need to be much more than stoppers and while we have three stoppers in our defensive 50 the pressure on guys like Houli, Newman and Delidio to create something is extreme.

 

[hellenictiger]

I thought he did okay, he was in the middle of one of the heaviest zones I've seen in the middle of the ground. It was pretty hard to get a clearing kick out. Deledio, Newman and Houli made more turnovers on Saturday than they usually make in a year. Overall his year has been spot on, he is a great kick and is getting better each week.

 

[D85]

Poor Bachar, is stuck in the defensive 50 with McGuane, Rance and Gourdis, none of whom have any creativity or much of an attacking part of their game. He is the release player and often gets the ball under pressure with these other three guys often not offering any option.

Defensive players need to be much more than stoppers and while we have three stoppers in our defensive 50 the pressure on guys like Houli, Newman and Delidio to create something is extreme.

rance if anything is more attacking than defensive.

 

[Dizaster]

I'm sure I probably said it a while ago in this thread, but I think it's really incredible that ANY AFL player can actually get themselves to a place where the can throw off millions of years off evolutionary, self preservation instinct, and throw themselves into situations on the field where they know they are about to get smashed to smithereens... It takes a unique brain, and heart, and will to be able to do that....
No way i'd put myself in half the situations most players put themselves in even just at training..

All the guys in the AFL have different extents that they are able to ignore all natural instincts and ONLY have a single focus, and that is what will benefit the team, at the cost of themselves... Obviously it's been said that Houli has been a bit "soft" in this respect,,,, which is something I personally don't hold against any player... I LOVVVVVVVVE tough players, but I also understand where the alternative comes from...
What they do have to do though, is make sure they are tough in every other aspect of their game.. They've gotta be able to kick straight, handball efficiently. Think quickly but not impatiently. They need to tackle hard. etc etc.
If a guy can do all that, I can fogive a natural instinct kicking in where they know they are about to be smashed... But most especially,,, from a young guy like Houli who is clearly working on that, and every other aspect of his game... Not everyone can be a Selwood(s) or Bartel, but as long as they keep working on providing more and more to the team, I personally forgive them those .5% that save them from a concussion.. As long as they make up for it in other area's....

Just my 2 cents though.... Others will accept nothing but full, 100% commitment, even if you are going to get hit by a train, and I understand that as well...

 

[Gnarley]

Bacher had a shocker :

 

[zippadeee]

No where near Bashers fault, duds like mcguane and rance constantly giving him the ball when he was in a poor position to receive a handball, the handball by Newman was disgraceful, the bounce in the 1 st qtr was a typical Richmond bounce, it bounced away from him.
Delidios turnover in the 1st qtr when we had all the momentum and the effort by miller on the wing was laughable.
He has been fantastic for us. Not sure about Grigg!!

 

[Ripplestick]

I've watched Houli closely this year in regards to head over the ball/back with the flight of the ball stuff after the big knock from Essendon mates of mine was his hardness when it was his turn to go.

I distinctly recall the Hawks game from earlier this year where the first half contained a few 'soft' efforts from Houli. In the weeks prior he also showed a few glimpses of not going hard enough when it was his turn.

After half time he came out and turned it around, and since then I have not had an issue with any of his efforts. In fact he has often gone very hard at the contest which is fantastic.

I personally think Houli copped a bake from Dimma at half time against the hawks and has responded since.

Good on him, he has been great this year and glad to have him in Y&B.

 

[Barnzy]

I thought he got sold down the river with ridiculous handballs when he was already under the pump a number of times. McGuane the main offender. Handballs to players 2m away from him with an opponent right beside them so at least he doesn't have the ball when it's coughed up and can forgo any blame. Wasn't one of his best games but because of this reason alone I felt sorry for him.

 

[BBC]

Great post Diz. I agree 100%.
Bach is a great pick up, really happy to have him.
He got sold into trouble a number of times against the Dees as mentioned.

 

[Tony Braxton-Hicks]

If you were an opposition coach you'd make stopping Houli a major focus of your forwards. Squeeze Houli, Newman and Lids and the Tigers will probably cough it up and the ball will stay in your forward line.

 

[Tigermad2005]

Just do not understand why people think he is a good kick.
He should not be kicking in after a point his kicking gets to much air.

I would have the kick in taken by Lids Chris and Jake.
Once the season is over in terms of the top 8 i would have only Jake doing it.