North Melbourne are exploring the possibility of trading for Essendon’s pick nine in a potential deal that could blow the Dan Houston race wide open.
The Kangaroos are among the clubs chasing Houston’s signature, along with Collingwood and Carlton, and continue to look for ways to force their way to the front of the queue, even if the Blues and Pies loom as his preferred destinations.
Port Adelaide’s back-to-back All-Australian defender Dan Houston is a man in demand.Credit: AFL Photos
Western Bulldogs, who want strong draft compensation from Geelong for Bailey Smith, are considered unlikely to force their way in despite previously meeting with Houston.
Two list management sources, who were granted anonymity to speak about trade matters, told this masthead that North would be prepared to part with their future first-round pick to secure the Bombers’ No.9.
The Roos would then be able to use Essendon’s selection as a bargaining chip for Houston, given they are unwilling to part with pick two, according to a separate source, outside “splitting” it for extra first-round draft assets this year.
In the worst-case scenario, North Melbourne would retain two top-10 picks in a strong draft under this outcome.
The problem in all this would be that, apart from pick nine, the Bombers have only No.31 in this year’s draft. They could gain an extra selection if Jake Stringer agrees to be traded to Greater Western Sydney.
Houston, an All-Australian the past two years, wants to return to Melbourne, but has not nominated a club and has four years left on his Port Adelaide contract.
That means Port have the power to decide: one, whether they trade him at all, and two, which team he ends up with, if they do agree to part with him.
The Kangaroos are not the only club interested in the Bombers’ No.9 selection, which rival recruiters expect will be absorbed by an opposition bid on Essendon’s Next Generation Academy product Isaac Kako.
Essendon’s NGA prospect Isaac Kako is tipped to attract a top-10 draft bid.Credit: AFL Photos
One of Melbourne or St Kilda seem likely to place a bid on Kako before the Bombers have a chance to pick a player, while Richmond could do the same once they secure Gold Coast’s No.6 in the Daniel Rioli trade.
The Magpies do not have a first-round pick in this year’s highly touted draft, but remain in the hunt for the Suns’ pick 13. However, negotiations are at a standstill – and under threat from Melbourne’s aggressive pursuit of the selection. The Demons have offered their future first-rounder and their second-rounder this year.
In Collingwood’s favour is that John Noble wants to play for Gold Coast, and fellow Magpie Joe Richards has requested a trade to the Power.
Contracted Suns swingman Jack Lukosius has also asked to be traded to Port, although well-placed sources have consistently told this masthead the Lukosius deal would likely be separated from any possible trade of Noble and pick 13.
The wildcard in the Houston sweepstakes are the Blues.
Carlton’s trade period-shaping pick swap for Hawthorn’s No.14 on Friday adds to the pick 12 they already owned, and means they can appease Port Adelaide’s trade demands for Houston.
The Blues, who want to make at least one first-round selection in this year’s high-quality draft, are content with keeping the extra pick, or using it to move up the draft order, but have not ruled out a Houston move if Collingwood cannot secure Gold Coast’s 13.
They sent their future first- and second-round selections to the Hawks for 14, while acquiring Brisbane’s 2025 second-rounder in a separate deal beforehand to satisfy the league’s future trading rules.
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