Houla

[AndyWalkersGirl]

Could you please enlighten me as to your reasoning here??

because he is a half forward flanker, not a bloody defender.

 

[borissey]

because he is a half forward flanker, not a bloody defender.

When was he last a hff? 2003?

What makes him a better half forawrd flanker than Fisher or Wiggins? He cant take a pack mark..why do yo uthink he'd be any good at that role?

 

[borissey]

Mate how old was he when he in 2005, 24?? You don't learn how to play a position when you're 24. You either know how it's done or you don't. I don't question this guy has the footy knowledge to play in any position, I do however question his commitment to the contest.

he's been on the list for what, 8 years, and his commitment is still questioned... this says enough in itself. Fact is he's only still on our list because we've been so weak and lacked better options. He'll end up playing over 200 games for the Blues... great effort, but he'll always be remembered for being a liability.

Houlihan had to learn a new position and over the past few years he has. Simple as that. Players learn new positions all the time. Forwards go back. Experienced players go back to half back to help out. Bradley went to half back at what, 33?

You are questioning his commitment. Afew others like you too. I think you are basing that on years ago.

 

[crackers111taz]

IMHO I would have to describe "Hoops" as honest, but average......

I can't see him as ever being a "match winner",but when he does get the ball you can usually assume it will be an effective posession....

Basically "What you see is what you get"he's no superstar,but if a bloke can average 10 - 15 worthwhile stats every game,then he is doing his part.....

You need blokes like him to add a little stability.....

 

[ShlomoGlickstein]

Sorry for the insults to the disabled, but here is my final word on HOULIGANS:

Last year you were all sticking up for DeLuca - he wasn't good enough, gone

Year before it was Livo - another not good enough, gone

Year before it was Karl Norman - another dropkick, gone.

Houla will be the same this year, along with Pagan. I will bet 50 dollars on it. put odds on 5-1.

Thats my last word.

 

[blues4flag]

Sorry for the insults to the disabled, but here is my final word on HOULIGANS:

Last year you were all sticking up for DeLuca - he wasn't good enough, gone

Year before it was Livo - another not good enough, gone

Year before it was Karl Norman - another dropkick, gone.

Houla will be the same this year, along with Pagan. I will bet 50 dollars on it. put odds on 5-1.

Thats my last word.

Who was sticking up for Deluca and Livo . Definitely not the majority.

And the major difference between Houlihan and the rest: he's a good player and has only missed 5 games in the last four years.

 

[borissey]

Only 1???

Brilliant, hard, hard running game from Houlihan. Worked hard in defence, cleared a lot of the ball - well, and didn't shirk a contest.

Guess I'm not joining your bandwagon.

 

[Jeremias]

Is one of the most frustrating players I have ever seen.

Has exquisite skills, probably the best in those regards. Yet every bloody time he gets the ball I cringe and expect the ball to be coming the other way in a matter of seconds.

I just don't know what it is with Houla. Is it his decision making that is poor? Sometimes, yes. Is it the fact that he uses the ball too quickly? I think this may be it. I think he just needs to slow down a bit and assess all his options before getting rid of it.

One of the softer players on the list, but I won't hold that against him UNLESS he puts his body on the line when he needs to. He is a reciever by nature, and there's nothing wrong with that at all. The problems start when he is afraid to play for the team, and that should not be tolerated. I haven't seen that so far this season, which is a great sign, I just hope it continues.

 

[borissey]

Were you frustrated last night by his brilliant game in defence?

 

[BlueWorld]

Yet every bloody time he gets the ball I cringe and expect the ball to be coming the other way in a matter of seconds.

Out of 16 kicks, 14 hit a target, which was the most of anyone on the ground. I guess some people have strange expectations.

Sorry for the insults to the disabled, but here is my final word on HOULIGANS:

Last year you were all sticking up for DeLuca - he wasn't good enough, gone

Year before it was Livo - another not good enough, gone

Year before it was Karl Norman - another dropkick, gone.

Houla will be the same this year, along with Pagan. I will bet 50 dollars on it. put odds on 5-1.

Thats my last word.

It better be. I think you've said more than enough.

 

[Jeremias]

Were you frustrated last night by his brilliant game in defence?

Out of 16 kicks, 14 hit a target, which was the most of anyone on the ground. I guess some people have strange expectations.

Last night he was better than usual, but it's only preseason. I hope he has improved, but I won't be holding my breath.

It's not just about hitting targets. It's also about putting them in good positions. Houla, if he doesn't turn it over, often puts his teammates in positions where they are either forced to turn it over, or where their possession is rushed and under pressure.

 

[Fishman Dan]

As the topic starter and genuine Houlihan non-admirer, I have to say he played very well the other night when he was on, and his disposals were on the money. Hope to see that trend continue throughout the year.

 

[blues4flag]

Houla turning it over seems to be because of him being too cute with his disposal at times. He's generally a very good kick, but he occasionally was too cute with his disposal last year and put the ball in dangerous positions.

I'm a Houla fan, and he was unfairly criticized last year. He's never going to be a super hard player, but he isn't expected to be. What he does, he does well, and apart from the problem highlighted above he's been a very good player for us over the past year.

 

[Bluebear]

Sorry for the insults to the disabled, but here is my final word on HOULIGANS:

Last year you were all sticking up for DeLuca - he wasn't good enough, gone

Year before it was Livo - another not good enough, gone

Year before it was Karl Norman - another dropkick, gone.

Houla will be the same this year, along with Pagan. I will bet 50 dollars on it. put odds on 5-1.

Thats my last word.

I'll take your $50 at 5-1 that it isn't.
But if you promise, I'm sure all of us here at BF could raise the funds........to make you go away

 

[heard]

totally agree bluebear, he is very under rated, he racks up 20 possessions a game and goes unnoticed. he is not going to be an Aaron Hamill but i think he is a better Peter Riccardi than the man himself. i think if Gibbs Murphy Stevens and kouta feed him in space he will be one of our best this year

 

[heard]

does anyone no where j houlihan is playing this year

 

[AndyWalkersGirl]

does anyone no where j houlihan is playing this year

Bullants isn't it?