By LIAM TWOMEY
DEER Park has added another former AFL star to its playing list, with Ryan Houlihan signing last week.
Houlihan was drafted by Carlton in the 1999 National Draft.
He went on to play 201 games for the Blues throughout his 11-year career at the top level.
As well as holding life membership at Carlton, Houlihan placed in the top 10 in the club’s best and fairest three times and played in two pre-season premierships.
Deer Park president Mark McGoldrick said it was great to have someone of Houlihan’s calibre on board.
“We are absolutely rapt to have him at the club,” he said.
“All the stars really aligned. He has bought into a restaurant in Deer Park and he came down to the ground and offered up some sponsorship and stuff like that.
“I thought he was playing somewhere else. During the week he said he was on top of things and he would like to come and have a game.
“It is a big win for our club.”
After playing as a utility throughout his AFL career, McGoldrick said Houlihan was expected to play across the wing, the half-back line and the half-forward line for the Lions.
The marquee signing is the fourth former AFL player to join the reigning premiers in the off-season after Brent Guerra, Ryan Hargrave and Bret Thornton also committed to the Lions.
Of last year’s premiership team, nine Lions, including Shannon Broadbent, Ryan Crawford, Matthew Towner, Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke, Sam Hunt and Jake De Sousa will not return.
“That was either through retirement or they decided that they didn’t want to commit at the level,” McGoldrick said.
“A few of them have gone to play second division.”
