Richmond defender Bachar Houli has been applauded for his reaction to a tough holding the ball decision in the clash with Port Adelaide.

Houli thought he’d taken a mark inside his defensive 50 when he was tackled by Power’s Robbie Gray.

Unfortunately for Houli, he didn’t hear the umpire call touched and despite having limited prior opportunity, he was pinged for holding the ball.

WATCH THE MOMENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Instead of remonstrating with the umpire, Houli simply spoke calmly to umpire Curtis Deboy and even apologised for not hearing his call.

“I called play on... I know it’s tough but it’s all we can do in that situation,” Deboy told Houli.

Luckily for the Tigers, Gray’s set shot sailed wide for a point.

“Well done Bachar for copping it on the chin,” one fan posted.

“98 out of 100 times the umpires show empathy and call a ball up,” another said.

Commentator Dwayne Russell said Houli should have been given the benefit of the doubt.

“There are a lot of guys in the AFL I wouldn't believe, when they say they didn't hear the umpire... But Bachar Houli is someone I definitely believe,” Russell said.

“He seems like he'd be one of the most honest guys going around.”

Houli’s calm manner follows the argument young Bulldog Bailey Smith had with an umpire back in round two.

Frustrated by a high tackle call, Smith didn’t allow Collingwood opponent John Noble to his feet, instead sarcastically telling the umpire he had to “stand, don’t I?”.

But Smith did correct his actions by approaching the umpire and offering an apology.

“I was speaking rude to you, my bad,” he said.