Rising Star nomination for Houli
26/03/2008 8:02 AM
Essendon midfielder Bachar Houli is the first NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for the new season.
Houli was named among Essendon's best in the club's 55-point Round 1 victory over North Melbourne for his 26 disposals while tagging Brent Harvey.
Coach Matthew Knights said Houli's performance was a highlight of the win.
"I thought Bachar put in an impressive performance and played his role well on the weekend," Knights said.
"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."
The 19-year-old was Essendon's fifth selection (number 42 overall) in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft and is the only practising Muslim on an AFL list.
He debuted in Round 7 last year against North Melbourne and played four senior games, averaging 11 disposals.
Houli was recruited from Spotswood and the Western Jets. He captained Vic Metro in the 2004 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. He missed the 2005 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with a stress fracture in his lower back but played in 2006.