Bachar Houli And Adam Saad To Protest Comments In Parliament By Tossing The Coin

Bachar Houli and Adam Saad will toss the coin for Friday night's Richmond/Essendon blockbuster at the MCG.

The two will toss the coin alongside their club captains to show solidarity against recent comments made by Senator Fraser Anning in parliament.

They will do so with the full support of their clubs and teammates, according to statements released by both clubs on Thursday night.

"In the spirit of unity and inclusion, Bachar Houli and Essendon’s Adam Saad, two talented football players, practicing Muslims, and wonderful representatives of their community, will toss the coin alongside their Club’s respective captains," Richmond wrote in a statement.

"The Bombers and the Tigers are proud to celebrate diversity in football and the broader Australian community and wish to emphasise this on the big stage in light of recent comments made in Federal Parliament," Essendon added in a statement on their website.

It is a game Essendon will need to win to keep their slim finals hopes alive, with the Bombers needing two wins plus other results going their way.

The Tigers, who have lost Trent Cotchin, Kane Lambert, David Astbury and Dion Prestia for the clash, have already locked away a top two spot.