HOULI, Bachar

Bachar Houli was a left-footed, on-baller with plenty of stamina, strong skills and football smarts. He was a successful junior footballer who was selected as captain of the Vic Metro Under 18 team in 2005, but suffered a back fracture and was unable to play.

He made a high profile debut in 2007 as the AFL's only practising Muslim player, and looked to become one of the game's cult figures.

He played 10 games in 2008 until he developed osteitis pubis and subsequent surgery ended his season.

He returned in 2009 and played seven games before injury again ended his season prematurely, this time with a broken leg.

He returned to the senior team in the 2010 Round 3 win over Carlton, but was unable to cement a place and only played another four games for the season.

Unhappy with his lack of progress at Essendon, and despite the efforts of new coach, James Hird, to keep him, Houli requested a trade to Richmond. No suitable deal could be made, so he nominated for the 2011 Pre-season Draft and finally made it to Richmond. He played 206 games for the Tigers, including three premierships, before retiring at the end of the 2021 season.

He became very involved in community affairs, especially with Muslim youth, and established the Bachar Houli Foundation to provide a pathway for young Muslim talent to enhance their AFL skills while staying true to their faith. He received the inaugural Award for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding (awarded by the Australia Day Council and the University of South Australia's Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding) in 2012.

Houli published his autobiography, Bachar Houli: Faith, Football and Family, in November 2020, and also recorded an audiobook version.