Hussien El Achkar became the latest Bachar Houli Foundation (BHF) academy graduate to land on an AFL list when he was drafted with pick No. 53 during the AFL National Draft.
El Achkar fell under the Essendon Football Club’s Next Generation Academy (NGA), meaning the club had the option to match Richmond’s bid at pick 53. He becomes the second Bachar Houli Foundation academy graduate currently on Essendon’s list, alongside Saad El-Hawli.
The crafty and dynamic mid/forward booted 28 goals from 11 games for the Calder Cannons this season to finish equal-fourth in the competition’s goal-kicking ranks, and leading goalkicker for the side.
He also represented Vic Metro this year in the National Championships, impressing with a three-goal haul against the Allies. He also booted a bag of six against the Sandringham Dragons this season for the Cannons.
A participant in BHF academies since the age of 12, El Achkar became the eight Muslim to be drafted to the AFL after his close friend Adam Sweid was drafted the night prior by the Fremantle Dockers with pick No. 25.
Speaking to essendonfc.com.au, El Achkar said draft night was “full of emotions.”
“The moment my name got called out was so surreal,” he said.
As a member of Essendon’s NGA academy and having the opportunity to train with Essendon’s AFL side at stages throughout the year, El Achkar said it “made my transition so much easier.”
“Coming in I knew most of the boys, and they knew me as well…I was able to come in and get straight to work,” El Achkar said.
Working closely with El Achkar across the last three years, BHF High-Performance Lead Michael Chiovitti said El Achkar always conducted himself with professionalism.
“He really took ownership of his own development, and always took an elite approach since I arrived at the BHF,” Chiovitti said.
Chiovitti reflected on El Achkar’s resilience throughout the year.
“At times this year, ‘Huss’ was tested mentally and physically.”
“He had to keep grinding. Even after an ankle injury that sidelined him for a month which caused him to miss important footy, including Vic Metro duties at a critical time, this ultimately led to his draft ranking slipping.”
“He came to [Ahmed] ‘Saady’ and me with a clear plan for what he wanted to improve…whether it was speed or agility, he kept showing up and doing the work, so it’s a credit to him,” Chiovitti said.
