RICHMOND'S shock preliminary final loss to Collingwood last year no longer lingers at the back of the mind of star defender Bachar Houli.
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The Tigers lost to a Mason Cox-inspired Magpies by 39 points last September, and again by 44 points in round two.
Despite that, Richmond will go into Friday night's blockbuster clash as favourites, thanks to a recent run of strong form and some injury concerns at the Pies.
Houli's dash will be vital if the Tigers are to turn the tables on the Magpies. Picture: AFL Photos
When asked by afl.com.au if he ever thought back to that upset loss in the prelim, Houli was unequivocal on the eve of his 200th game.
"Absolutely not. We played them in round two and while we turned up to play, within the last 10 or 15 minutes, Collingwood were far better. We had a few injuries, but that's not a massive excuse to put forth," Houli said.
"We feel like we're in a better position as opposed to round two. We've come off four victories in a row, we're playing consistent football. But that's not enough, you have to turn up with your best footy and effort and intent.
It's a Friday night game ... we'll focus on the process and what makes us great - Bachar Houli
"Your position on the ladder isn't really relevant any more. Teams who show up to play each week and are in the contest for longer are getting the four points.
"It is a huge game, but whatever happened in the prelim final, that's the past. We're focused on the future."
The Tigers are in hot form, having beaten St Kilda, Gold Coast, GWS and Port Adelaide in the past month, and Houli said the mood is cheerful at Punt Road.
"Winning is infectious, it feels great," he said with a grin.
"All of a sudden you're focusing far more positives rather than the negatives, so the vibe is different. The vibe is definitely upbeat, and [this weekend will] be nothing different.
"It's a Friday night game, everyone's watching, but that's external noise. We'll focus on the process and what makes us great."
Houli has played 173 games at Richmond after crossing from Essendon at the end of 2010. Add on 26 games at the Bombers over three years and you reach the 199 mark.
But the always modest Houli, who's averaging a career-high 28 touches at the age of 31, is quick to deflect any attention given to the big 200. He just loves playing footy with his teammates.
"It's taken a bit of time, 13 years, but I'm just so grateful for the opportunity – one, to be part of the system for so long, and two, Richmond allowing me to be able to be a consistent player in the AFL for over 10 years now," Houli said.
"The hype around the milestone from fans and friends, to them, it's huge, but for me, I've always been an individual who tries to shift the focus to the team. I truly mean this.
"I struggle to watch myself play and even hear my own voice. I'm just looking forward to a good game against strong opposition."
Houli was speaking while overseeing a day's play in the Bachar Houli Cup, a community program which, after starting in Victoria in 2012, is now run nation-wide and provides the opportunity for Islamic schools to play football.
"We run the program from Year Five to Year 12. I remember when I was in Year 11 and 12, we weren't doing this. It was head down studying in the books, no time to go out and play sport against other schools," he said.
"It gives them an opportunity to go out there and have a bit of fun. And it's grown a lot, we started with Year 7 and 8 and now they can do it till Year 12.
"A lot of these boys are part of my academy too, so a lot of familiar faces here, who have grown a lot. Not only from a football perspective, but more importantly, from a leadership perspective as well.
"They're growing up as true role models, which is what we want these young men and women to do, grow up and feel like they have a voice in society."
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