Richmond triple premiership player Bachar Houli has completed a successful return to footy, playing his first minutes since the 2020 Grand Final in Saturday’s VFL practice match against Collingwood at Punt Road Oval.
The calf injury which Houli picked up late last year lingered throughout pre-season, with the Tigers opting to take a cautious approach with the important defender.
Maurice Rioli Jnr impressed playing in midfield and kicked a goal as he eyes an AFL debut later in the season.
Collingwood took a 14-point lead into half time before being pegged back to lead by just seven with a quarter remaining, but the Tigers then kicked the first three goals of the final term, taking control of match to eventually run out 28-point winners.
The Pies forward line consisted of Trey Ruscoe, Ollie Henry, Will Kelly and Beau McCreery – who was named the club’s medical in Thursday night’s AFL clash against Brisbane.
Kelly, who broke his collarbone in Collingwood’s AAMI Community Series clash, looks set to push for selection in the coming weeks after completing the match unscathed.
FULL SCORE
Richmond 14.12 (96)
Collingwood 9.14 (68)