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 defense but kicked three skilful goals for the first time in a game since 2003 in Round 11 against Port Adelaide. During that year, at just 25 years of age, Houlihan already achieved his 150th game, becoming the third youngest Carlton player to reach that milestone, having been a regular member of Carlton teams since the age of 18 and to that point had rarely missed games due to injury.
Read more about this topic: Ryan Houlihan