Victorian clubs still trying to lure Port Adelaide’s Houston

Collingwood have joined Carlton and St Kilda in a bid to convince All-Australian defender Dan Houston to leave Port Adelaide at the end of the season, despite the likelihood of a potential transfer remaining slim.

The suspended Houston told South Australian radio last Friday that he will be in Port Adelaide next year after speaking to the Magpies and Blues in Melbourne last week for the AFL Awards Ceremony.

Two industry sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak, confirmed that discussions had taken place as part of a due diligence process, but Houston knows that he will most likely remain with Port Adelaide, where he is happy.

“I love the place, I love the football club and the football club has been good to me, so I am committed to Port Adelaide,” Houston told 5AA.

Port Adelaide wanted two first-round selections for the All-Australian competition, which seemed possible when Melbourne showed interest. However, Houston was reluctant to go ahead with that plan, as the Demons faced unrest surrounding Christian Petracca’s insistence that the club needed to address ongoing issues.

Port Adelaide did not want to lose Houston but saw an opportunity to move deep in the draft and fill its position with unrestricted free agent Harry Perryman if Houston was determined to return to Victoria.

The Magpies traded their 2024 first-round pick for Lachie Schultz last year but are entering negotiations with Gold Coast after defender John Noble requested a trade, making it difficult for them to put together a package suitable for Port Adelaide.

Collingwood’s Joe Richards is considering an offer from Port Adelaide, which could form part of a Magpies bid to the Power.