The Carlton team of 2000 was a particularly strong one, with many great names such as Craig Bradley, Stephen Silvagni and Anthony Koutoufides and finished second at the end of the home and away season.
Houlihan quickly had an impact for Carlton as a classy, skilful, running forward, with an uncanny ability to kick goals.
73, then weighing just 71 kg to break into that side and play every game from Round 17, including all three finals was an excellent accomplishment, exceeding expectations.
Early in 2002, while continuing to play as a forward, an electrifying three goals in a quarter got Carlton back into the Round 8 match against Hawthorn.
[6] Toward the end of 2002, Houlihan began to play-off the half-back line, where his skill and run were used to set up forward thrusts.
He played an important role off half back in the Round 21 victory against the Bulldogs, with 23 possessions and set up the winning goal.
A change of coach and an improved pre-season saw Houlihan bigger and stronger and he spoke of feeling more confident under Denis Pagan and wanting to win more contested ball.
Houlihan played all 22 matches in 2003, the highlight being the Round 3 victory over Essendon, in which he would gather a then career best 28 possessions, kick two goals and receive the three Brownlow votes.
His goal in the last quarter, in driving rain, from a tight angle in the forward pocket, which would seal the win and be celebrated by a 'Chainsaw' maneuver, would be a career highlight.
[9] At the end of 2003 Houlihan received a lucrative offer to join Melbourne Football Club but stayed loyal to Carlton and continued to do so for the remainder of his AFL career.
Houlihan played his 100th game in season 2005 and became the third youngest Carlton player ever to achieve that mark (after Robert Walls and Lance Whitnall).
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.
A long recovery and rehab kept him out until the final two matches, but he made a spectacular return, kicking three classy goals in his first game back.
He scored an important early goal after smothering the ball, demonstrating the improved defensive side to his game to complement his well-known skill.
He had a series of excellent performances playing as a defensive forward in 2010, in which he was given the task of negating the influence of the opposition's key running defender, while using his skills to kick and set up goals.
The following week, in Round 14, he returned to his role as a defensive forward, limiting key West Coast Eagles playmaker Shannon Hurn to a near season low 10 possessions, while having 19 of his own and 2 goal assists.
Houlihan played his 200th game in Round 19 against North Melbourne, the same side he had debuted against 11 years previously, becoming just the 31st player in the history of the Carlton Football Club to achieve that.
[46] Houlihan was appointed coach of Greater Western Sydney Giants 'Academy' players for 2012[47][48] and also joined the Sydney Hills Eagles in their debut season in the North East Australian Football League Eastern Conference as a player and assistant coach.
[52] Houlihan also played a once-off match for Waratah in the 2011/12 Northern Territory Football League season.
Houlihan has devised a structured program based on each child’s age and in accordance with the AFL guidelines.