Author: Jennifer Witham, Exclusive to afl.com.au
ESSENDON'S flying start to the home-and-away season has received another boost with young midfielder Bachar Houli winning the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round one.
The 19-year-old was in terrific form during the Bombers' 55-point win over North Melbourne on Easter Monday, picking up 26 disposals and taking four marks.
"It's a great individual award, nothing that I ever looked at, and it's just a bonus after round one," Houli told afl.com.au.
"That was the best game I've played so far. From a confidence point of view, it was a full strength team from both teams and just to go out there and do what I did with the help from the boys was just fantastic.
"What a way to start as a team and as an individual."
Houli also ran with Kangaroos' star Brent Harvey for part of the game, which he said was an "extraordinary opportunity and a huge confidence booster", and won praise from senior coach Matthew Knights for his versatility.
"What was good today was our players were able to show a large degree of flexibility to be able to play in different roles even though it wasn't their best role," Knights said after the game.
"At times, Bachar played down back when he hasn't played a lot as a flexible back, at times Jason Johnson was playing deep forward.
All credits to the players; they took on the roles once we threw them at them."
Houli, who made his way to the club via selection No.42 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, has played five games after making his debut in round 10 last year.
He said he has entered this season with an increased level of confidence, which he attributed to the effect the new coach has had on him.
"It's full credit to all of the coaching staff and the boys. The main thing around you is the boys and the coaches who give you confidence," he said.
"Matthew Knights had a good chat to me in the pre-season and told me he wanted to see me take a step up to play in the midfield, and there was a role there for me to take.
"I took that on board and tried to do everything possible to get myself in the best position, and thankfully, I've got that opportunity."
Of Lebanese descent, Houli is the first devout Muslim to play AFL football and broke his Ramadan fast while training at the Draft Camp after seeking advice from Muslim leaders.
This devotion to his faith, which involves praying five times a day and abstaining from alcohol, has cast Houli as a role model for young Muslims and a spearhead for educating other Australians about his culture.
"At the end of the day, being young and good at what you want to do, you want the best for others and that's what I want to try and do," he said.
"I want to be a role model for kids growing up, for kids from the community and outside the community. When you see a good role model out there and someone who's doing well, you want to follow him.
"Hopefully, I can be that right person that people can follow, especially in a professional sense. I'll continue to work hard and try and set the right example for kids out there."
He began his playing career at Spotswood Under 12s before progressing through to the Western Jets at Under 18 level.
The NAB AFL Rising Star has not been won by an Essendon player before, but young defender Paddy Ryder was nominated in round one last season.
Knights said on Wednesday that Houli's performance was a highlight of the win.
The aspect that I was most delighted with was his flexibility and his ability to play decent footy in all positions having spent time in the midfield, on the wing and also in the backline.
The Rising Star nomination is a just reward for his performance having seen how much hard work Bachar has put into his football in order to become better and his constant desire to continue to develop.
Last Modified on 23/01/2009 17:11
