The trade period’s biggest fish could become a Magpie as soon as Tuesday.
A significant breakthrough in the Dan Houston trade negotiations between Collingwood, Gold Coast and Port Adelaide on Monday means the dual All-Australian defender is set to wear black and white in 2025, after months of uncertainty about where he would land.
According to three trade sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity given the move is not yet official, contracted Sun Rory Atkins proved a key piece of the puzzle, and will return to South Australia to join the Power after previously playing 101 games for the Crows between 2015 and 2020.
Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston (second from left) wants to play for a Victorian club in 2025.Credit: AFL Photos
Atkins will give Port Adelaide another half-back option, while Gold Coast get out a season early from the lucrative five-year free agency deal they gave him that garnered only 37 matches.
There could be minor changes, but Port are also poised to gain Suns swingman Jack Lukosius and Magpies forward Joe Richards, plus a suite of picks in this year’s draft, including Gold Coast’s coveted No.13, as well as 29, 36 and 50.
The Power are pushing to secure another late-round selection before agreeing to the deal that would see Houston and pick 58 head to the Pies, with the Suns receiving John Noble, two future first-rounders – one each from Port Adelaide and Collingwood – and the No.39 selection this year.
Houston’s wish to return to Victoria despite being contracted until 2028 triggered a frenzy of interest.
Melbourne were in pole position and held preliminary discussions with the Power, but fell out of the race after the Christian Petracca saga played out in the media and caused a change of heart from the Port star and fellow Connors Sports client.
North Melbourne made a huge play for Houston and tried unsuccessfully to land Essendon’s No.9 pick before turning their attention to Gold Coast’s No.13.
However, they were always considered outsiders, and their years-long hunt for a big-name recruit continues.
Carlton had the assets to pursue a Houston deal, particularly after acquiring Hawthorn’s No.14 selection for two future picks on Friday, and expressed interest along the way, but are big fans of the 2024 draft class and instead intent on climbing the order.
The Blues have explored options to try to gain West Coast’s No.3 pick with their two first-round choices.
The Western Bulldogs and St Kilda also had a dip at Houston, but were not in contention by the time trade period started.
Houston has played 168 games since the Power selected him in the rookie draft out of the Oakleigh Chargers nine years ago.
Barrass stalemate stretches on
West Coast and Hawthorn remain divided on Eagles key defender Tom Barrass’ worth entering the last two days of this year’s trade period.
West Coast would like two first-round picks for Barrass and have proposed giving a future second-round selection back.
Premiership-winning Eagle Tom Barrass wants to finish his AFL career with Hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos
However, the Hawks believe a future first- and second-rounder – whether theirs or Carlton’s – is an appropriate offer.
The Eagles are also surveying options to “split” their pick three before contemplating a swap for Carlton’s picks 12 and 14, which could unlock the Liam Baker deal.
Another trade domino nears
The Suns made good progress on their chief trade target, Richmond club champion Daniel Rioli, who will head north to reunite with former Tigers coach Damien Hardwick on a five-year contract.
Richmond were adamant from the start of negotiations that they wanted more than Gold Coast’s pick six in return for Rioli, and they will also score the Suns’ No.23 selection.
There will be a swap of later picks that will aid Gold Coast’s mission to match a bid for their latest academy prospect Leo Lombard, who is set to receive an opposition bid as early as the top 10.
That is why the Suns were always going to part with their pick 13.
No Stringer call yet
Jake Stringer could land at his third club after the Giants showed interest in the 30-year-old.Credit: AFL Photos
There is still plenty that needs to happen before Jake Stringer’s potential trade to the Giants.
The veteran Essendon forward, whose 42 goals this season were his equal-most since 2016, is yet to fully commit to the move, while GWS and the Bombers are still at loggerheads over Stringer’s trade worth.
The Giants hold picks 53 and 56, which could both be offered for Stringer, whereas Essendon think their No.37 selection is closer to his worth. However, the 30-year-old must also get his head around relocating interstate and living away from the two children he parents with his ex-partner.
No progress on Parker
Former Sydney captain Luke Parker is no closer to joining North Melbourne, with the clubs yet to resume serious talks on a deal to make him a Roo.
North tabled their No.62 selection as their initial offer for the 293-gamer, after securing West Coast key forward Jack Darling for pick 67 on Monday last week.
The Swans rebuffed that offer, and have not made a formal request on what they want in return for Parker, who turns 32 this month.
The Kangaroos could use pick 25 as the key element in a package to prise Caleb Daniel out of the Bulldogs, but also have the No.44 selection to potentially put forward for Parker.
Dees make Sharp offer
Melbourne hope to secure their Alex Neal-Bullen replacement with pick 49, the only other selection they hold outside their pair of top-10 choices.
The Demons have identified Brisbane’s endurance king Harry Sharp, who was an emergency in the Lions’ grand final victory, as the player who could fill Neal-Bullen’s high half-forward role.
Sharp obliterated the two-kilometre time trial record at the AFL draft combine in 2020, clocking five minutes and 28 seconds. The now-21-year-old was Brisbane’s No.43 pick that year, but has played only 16 games since.
