the third youngest Carlton player ever to achieve that mark (after Robert Walls and Lance Whitnall). He continued to mostly play in defence but in the absence of regular midfielders Scott Camporeale and Heath Scotland, was brought into the midfield in the drawn game against Port Adelaide in Round 4. He shone in that game and was probably Carlton's best player, with 26 disposals and was able to set up a number of goals with precise kicking. 2006 Houlihan worked very hard during the 2006 pre-season, becoming a lot bigger, stronger and fitter, so he could play in the midfield. He played all 22 games in 2006, improving to become second at the club for kicks and disposals, highlighted by a career best 35 disposals in Round 4. In the second half of the year Houlihan was given run with roles on some of the best players in the AFL, such as Jason Akermanis, who he kept to just 9 possessions, Darren Milburn to 2 kicks and Nathan Eagleton to 11 possessions. A vigorous bump which left West Coast Eagle Matt Rosa with concussion almost earned Houlihan his first and only suspension but it was deemed fair by the AFL tribunal. Overall, Houlihan increased his average possessions to 21 per game- statistically the best season of his career, ranking in the top few not only in uncontested possessions and handball-receives but also in hardball-gets and contested possessions, highlighting that he can win the ball as an inside or outside player. 2007 In 2007 Houlihan played 21 of 22 games (missing one game with illness) and recorded his best ever finish in the Club's Best and Fairest- fourth. He continued to perform run with roles in all parts of the ground on some of the AFL's best players, such as Gary Ablett Jr, James Hird, Alan Didak, who he kept to a season low 10 possessions, Andrew McLeod, who he kept to just 14 possessions, Aaron Davey to a season low 4 possessions, Tadhg Kennelly to 6 and Josh Drummond to 12. He also played some high possession, more offensive games, highlighted by a season best 33 possessions in Round 20 against Essendon and despite a number of defensive roles, still finished second at the club for kicks and third for possessions. Houlihan had not kicked a lot of goals since being moved to defence but kicked three skilful goals for