Hoops hangs up the boots
Ryan Houlihan has announced his retirement after 201 senior matches and 12 seasons.
Ryan Houlihan, the only current-listed Carlton player to last represent his team in a final on the MCG, has announced his retirement after 201 senior matches and 12 seasons.
In the countdown to Sunday’s Elimination Final against Essendon, Houlihan conveyed his decision to the players this morning, having advised Brett Ratten of his retirement three days previous. He’ll make every effort to play out the season with the Northern Bullants if he can overcome an annoying bruised heel, but he won’t be donning the No.33 dark Navy Blue guernsey again.
“The decision had been in the back of my mind for the past couple of months, although I’d kept it to myself,” Houlihan said. “I hadn’t told my Mum or Dad or anyone, and I don’t really think you have to confide in anyone, but I finally made my mind up on Monday.”
One of four brothers, together with Damian, Adam and Josh, to make the transition to League level, Ryan Houlihan cut his teeth as a junior footballer for Corowa-Rutherglen and, later, the Murray Bushrangers Under 18 outfit. His talent was acknowledged in 1998 when he was named an All-Australian Under 16 team member and again in ’99 when he represented Australia in the youth series against Ireland.
Taken by Carlton with its fifth round selection (No.75 overall) in the 1999 AFL National Draft, Houlihan played through the darkest days of the club’s long and otherwise illustrious history. Despite serious overtures from Collingwood and Melbourne in 2004, he maintained his loyalty to the Carlton cause throughout.
“There were times when there was interest from other clubs, but my decision to stay was based on my intention to be a 200-game, one-club player . . . and that’s something I’m very proud of,” Houlihan said.
“In the end, football’s been good to me, but with form and injury I thought my time had come to step away.”
That said, Houlihan admitted experiencing a whole range of feelings following his conversation with the Senior Coach on Monday.
“On the way home I felt every emotion under the sun - excited, sad, relieved and scared - as I reflected on everything that’s happened over these past 12 years,” Houlihan said.
“I would have loved to achieve ultimate success in winning a premiership, but you can’t always get the fairytale ending. I’m not really sure when it’s going to hit me, but I’m sure that it will because football’s been a big part of my life, I love football and I still love football.”
But what did he say to the Carlton players?
“I had this speech that sounded good in my sleep last night as I was going over and over it,” he said. “Out on the ground, I told them that I wanted to keep it short and sharp as they’ve obviously got other things to worry about this week. But I told them that I had a great time here, that I loved them all and that I hoped to catch up with them for a beer at some stage. I also told them to enjoy the final on Sunday, because you never know how many you’re going to play in.”
Houlihan now plans to take a holiday, reflect on his time at Visy Park, and maybe pursue his options as a coach somewhere . . . but I don’t really know yet.”
At 29, he harbours an ambition to relocate to Sydney and perhaps acquire a restaurant with a business partner. The plan is very much in its embryonic stage, but whatever happens “Hoops” knows he’ll never be too far away.
“Carlton’s meant everything to me. It’s been half my life,” Houlihan said. “I’m proud that I ended on good terms and that I’ll be able to walk back into the place in two, three, four or five years time with my head held high, and see my photo up on the wall as a 200-game Carlton player.”
Ryan Houlihan
DOB: January 21, 1982
Career: 2000-2011
Senior debut: Round 11, 2000 vs North Melbourne, aged 18 years, 119 days
Final appearance: Round 20, 2011 vs Melbourne, MCG
Carlton Player No. 1040
Games: 201
Goals: 127
Guernsey No: 33
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 85 kg
Career Highlights
2000 AFL Rising Star Nominee (Round 20)
2000 Past Players Encouragement Award
2003 8th in Best and Fairest
2004 7th in Best and Fairest
2005 Pre-Season Premiership Player
2007 Pre-Season Premiership Player
2007 4th in Best and Fairest
2007 Life Membership
2007 Record holder for Guernsey 33
Houlihan Blue and A
Greatest Carlton player?
“Either Chris Judd or Anthony Koutoufides, but probably Judd because I’ve played more games alongside him.”
Greatest opponent?
“There are two - Glenn Archer and Damien Hardwick, both hard nuts. I played on Archer for a quarter and a half all up, but that was enough, and Hardwick as a half-back would really get into me in my younger days.”
Greatest coach
“All good in different ways. I didn’t player under David Parkin for long enough, Denis Pagan was very old school, and Brittain was very Ratten-like - a real footy head who had the game and the tactics down pat.”
Greatest captain (Craig Bradley, Brett Rattten, Andrew McKay, Anthony Koutoufides, Lance Whitnall or Chris Judd)?
“Oh, tough question. Judd’s a champion and McKay was great, but I can’t really separate any of them.”
Most memorable game?
“Round 3, 2003 against Essendon at the MCG when it was raining and I kicked that goal on the boundary (and performed the famous chainsaw routine in celebration). We were down and had a few players out, but we got up in a close one.”
Worst moment on a football field?
“Probably the times when the players were walking off the ground and people were throwing memberships over the fence.”
Change/s you’d like invoked for the game?
“Not as many rounds in the season, which isn’t going to happen . . . and I’d like three points for the ball hitting the post.”
Regrets?
“Only the injuries. I would have liked to have gone out with a few more games under my belt, but in the end you can’t control it. So there are no regrets. I was a hard trainer and I think I carried myself professionally, which is all you can do.”
How would you like to be remembered?
“As a silky (laughs) and skilful player who did his job for the team.”
