Melvey wrote:
He has the polished skills which we need but he hasn't the following two leg speed and most importantly courage.
Never ever have i seen Houla crash into a pack with any desperation and put his body on the line. I very much doubt he would bleed for this club and is a passenger who is happy to take the pay cheques for little out put over the bleak years
1. Houla is far from slow, not Usain Bolt by any means but not a turtle either.
2. Whilst he does not have the "hardest" reputation, ssying he has "never crashed into a pack or put his body on the line" is ridiculous. There have been countless examples of him doing that during his career. The great tackle he put on Roughead (who is MUCH bigger in size) in the goalsquare is a recent example....
3. I think he has been a more than loyal servant to this club. I don't think he is on big dollars either, so your implication that he is a money grabber is unfounded.
4. He has been played out of position as a HBF for the majority of his career at the CFC and yet has still been a good contributor in that role. That is a position he is both not suited to nor comfortable with.
Houlas worth in this side is as a skillful forward option, which I'm sure you will agree - we are seriously short of. His game against Brisbane proved his value as both an attacking and creative forward. hopefully common sense prevails, and he is given consistent gametime in the fowardline from now on....