Bachar Houli

Recruited from the Western Jets with pick 42 in the 2006 National Draft, Bachar Houli began his career at Essendon, where he showed glimpses of ball-winning ability but struggled to cement a regular spot in the midfield. After managing just 26 games in four years at Windy Hill, he requested a move to Richmond seeking greater opportunity, eventually arriving via the Pre-Season Draft when a trade could not be facilitated. At Punt Road, Houli reinvented himself as a disciplined and damaging rebounding defender, utilising his elite aerobic capacity and precise left-foot distribution to set up play from the back half.

Houli became a cornerstone of the Tigers' defensive unit during their golden era, playing a pivotal role in the 2017, 2019, and 2020 premierships. His performance in the 2017 Grand Final was particularly significant, where he finished runner-up in the Norm Smith Medal voting following a dominant display. An All-Australian in 2019, Houli combined on-field consistency with profound off-field influence as a cultural ambassador for the game. He retired at the end of 2021 as a Richmond great, having successfully transformed from a fringe midfielder into one of the modern era's most effective half-backs.