Richmond provide update on club legend Bachar Houli after the premiership hero’s horror car crash in Canberra: ‘He’s in a pretty bad way’
Richmond have provided an update on the health of premiership hero Bachar Houli after he suffered a severe car crash in Canberra.
The 35-year-old was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital after he suffered a broken pelvis and other fractures when his ute rolled following a camping weekend with friends.
The former three-time premiership star retired in 2021 after an illustrious career, comprising 232 games, including 26 with Essendon and 206 with Richmond.
Houli’s brother-in-law Khaled was also involved in the crash is reported to have suffered a more serious condition.
The Tigers’ CEO Brendan Gale told 7Sport that the premiership great was undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
‘He’s in a pretty bad way, Bachar,’ Gale said.
‘He got banged up and sustained some serious injuries. He’s being operated on an injury as we speak.
‘Thankfully he’s going to make a good recovery.
‘It’s going to be a long road ahead. But that’s positive news.’
Houli made his AFL debut in 2007, playing for the Essendon Football Club. However, he truly thrived after moving to the Tigers in 2011.
Known for his exceptional skills as a defender, Houli became a key player for Richmond, renowned for his intercept marks and precise disposal.
He was a pivotal member of the team that won the AFL premiership in 2017, breaking Richmond’s 37-year drought.
Houli’s profile as one of few practising Muslims in the sport saw him get heavily involved in community outreach, and he won the Jim Stynes Award, which is given annually to the player who does the most significant community work.