‘We think we’re still a chance’: Roos won’t be brushed aside by Blues, Pies in the race for Dan Houston
North Melbourne are determined to use their strong draft hand to try and win the Dan Houston sweepstakes, despite remaining at long odds to defeat Collingwood and Carlton in the race for his signature.
The Houston trade is one of the more intriguing situations involving a quality player for several seasons, as the Blues and Magpies are not certain they will have the draft capital to convince Port Adelaide to trade a player with four years left on his contract.
The Kangaroos have the No.2 pick in this year’s draft and are open to “splitting” that selection, or their future first-round pick into multiple assets.
Either scenario would give them a bigger carrot to dangle in front of the Power than Gold Coast’s coveted No.13, which Collingwood and Carlton need to secure to remain a realistic chance of landing the two-time All-Australian Houston.
Essendon are interested in improving their draft position to have a pick before a bid is made on Next Generation Academy graduate Isaac Kako. Clubs, including Melbourne, are considering making the bid before the Bombers’ pick nine.Suns swingman Lukosius has requested a trade to the Power, choosing them over the Crows after falling out of favour late in the season.
Houston has not yet nominated the club he wishes to join, although the Blues are considered his preferred destination.
He has a long-standing friendship with Blues forward Jack Silvagni and a prior relationship with coach Michael Voss, who was an assistant at Port Adelaide from 2014 to 2021.
Collingwood are also confident about winning Houston’s commitment if they score the Suns’ pick 13, enabling them to use that selection as the central part of a package that could include Joe Richards, who has requested a trade to Alberton.
The Magpies would like to get picks 13 and 23 from the Suns in exchange for Noble and a future first-round pick. Little progress had been made on Tuesday between the Suns and either Collingwood or Carlton.
Port Adelaide need to be satisfied with their return, given Houston is contracted through the 2028 season, particularly after they missed out on securing Giants free agents Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming.
That could improve the Kangaroos’ chances of securing the 27-year-old defender, as the Power may decide they are only prepared to release Houston to the club that can deliver them the best return.
North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings has made it clear to all parties that they are willing to explore all options to present Port with the best deal, having decided after meeting with Houston to make him an offer worth considering.
“I think it will come down to whoever gets the best value for Port Adelaide, and if that’s the case, we’d like to be in it,” Rawlings said.
“I’m not too sure where it probably sits, in who leads the race. I think when you’ve got a player in contract for a couple of years still, it really comes down to the club that has that player and what they want for him. So, while that is still up in the air, we think we’re still a chance.
“We’re certainly open to what it could look like. To bring a player of Dan’s quality into our club, clearly it’s got to be something significant.”
Meanwhile, premiership Bulldog Caleb Daniel is yet to make a call on whether he wants to continue his career at the club where he is contracted for two more years, or accept North Melbourne’s offer.
Daniel’s senior opportunities dried up this past season, but that would not be a problem at the Roos.
Two industry sources, who wished to remain anonymous to speak about trade matters, said North would need to come up with a package that could get a deal done before Daniel would contemplate asking for a trade.
The Power have also made it clear they want to negotiate the Jack Lukosius deal separately to any potential Houston trade, even with Collingwood and Gold Coast working on moving parts that could impact the Power.
Suns swingman Lukosius has requested a trade to the Power, choosing them over the Crows after falling out of favour late in the season.
The 24-year-old has two years to run on a back-ended contract worth about $2.5 million, with a future first-round pick discussed between Port and Gold Coast in preliminary negotiations.
Jack Graham joins the Eagles
Richmond’s dual-premiership player Jack Graham officially became an Eagle on Tuesday, accepting a four-year deal to sign as an unrestricted free agent.
The Tigers received pick 42 as compensation – a selection that won’t grease the negotiating wheels – as the two clubs discuss a deal to see former Tiger Liam Baker become an Eagle.
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