‘Not leaving’: Dan Houston’s defiant call amid trade rumour

Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston has made a bold call on his future amid trade rumours. And Kozzie Pickett’s trade preference revealed.

Catch up on all the latest trade news.

Port Adelaide star Dan Houston has previously declared his commitment to the club despite trade rumours.

But this might’ve been the 27-year old’s most defiant pledge of loyalty to Alberton yet.

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Houston says he’s “not leaving” the club amid widespread speculation he’s played his last game for the club after copping a season-ending suspension in the Showdown.

“I have said in the past that I am contracted, I love the footy club and I love Adelaide and I have my focus in particular for the next five weeks to help this team push for finals,” Houston said on FIVEaa on Friday.

“No, I am not leaving next year.

“I am contracted, I wouldn’t have signed the contract unless I was keen on Adelaide and Port Adelaide. I love the place and the footy club has been good to me.”

Dan Houston wants to stay put. Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Port Adelaide would reportedly want two first-round picks back in a trade for Houston, who claimed his second-straight All-Australian blazer on Thursday night.

St Kilda has emerged as a potential suitor for Houston, with Melbourne no longer considered in the running for the gun halfback.

Kozzie Pickett declares ‘preference’

Fremantle is seen as the frontrunner to land Melbourne livewire Kysaiah Pickett should a move come to fruition.

It emerged this week that Pickett was the latest Demon to be weighing up his future after indicating a level of homesickness in his exit meeting.

And according to reports from Channel 7 Melbourne’s Theo Doropoulos and Channel 7 Perth’s Ryan Daniels, the Dockers are the 23-year old’s preferred landing spot.

Complicating matters, however, is Fremantle’s bid for Tigers gun Shai Bolton, who Daniels labelled the “priority” this trade period.

Pickett want to be a Docker. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Dockers hold three first round picks — their own (No. 9), Collingwood’s (No. 10) and Port Adelaide’s (No. 17).

It’s understood should a deal with Fremantle fall through, the Eagles remain an option. Pickett has links to West Coast through cousin Liam Ryan.

The @WestCoastEagles are an option for Pickett if things get complicated, as is remaining at Melbourne, but at this stage his preference is with Fremantle.

— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) August 29, 2024

If Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett does ask the Demons for a trade, it’s understood he wants to play for Fremantle.

The Dockers are fully aware of Pickett’s desire to join them in the event he chooses to leave Melbourne.

Would join Shai Bolton in purple.@7afl@7NewsMelbourne

— Theo Doropoulos (@TheoDrop) August 29, 2024

Port Adelaide has long held interest in Pickett, who was raised in both Western Australia and South Australia, including being linked to the gun small forward last week.

He’ll miss the first three games of the 2025 season through suspension.

Gawn says Petracca hasn’t told him he wants trade

Melbourne skipper Max Gawn says disgruntled teammate Christian Petracca hasn’t told him he wants to play for a another club in 2025, adding there’d be “no repairing needed” if the superstar returned to the Demons.

Demons president Kate Roffey on SEN this week denied there was a “stand-off” between the club and Petracca amid reports the gun 28-year old wants out of Melbourne with five years remaining on a deal to play for another Victorian side, but said she hadn’t spoken to him about his issues.

One list boss spoken to by foxfooty.com.au this week said they can’t see any club meeting Melbourne’s demands in a deal, making a trade extremely difficult.

Carlton is seen as the leading contender for Petracca (Photo by Michael Klein)

And while Gawn confirmed Petracca has vented “frustrations” with the club to him, he claimed it wasn’t to the point that he’d discussed wanting a trade.

“Hasn’t told me a thing (about wanting to play elsewhere),” Gawn told Channel 7 at the AFL Awards.

“He’s told me some frustrations he has with the club and I told him some frustrations I have with the club. And that’s where we got to.

“At the moment, he has shown some frustrations, which to be fair some of them I agree with — and some of them I don’t — but that what makes leadership groups fun, having some different opinions.

“There’s no real repairing needed if he walks back in day one.”

Carlton is seen as the leading contender for Petracca, who’s reportedly keen to play for a big Victorian club, should the 2021 Norm Smith medalist’s trade request be facilitated.

It includes links to a trade for Coleman medallist Harry McKay, though the star forward’s manager, David Trotter, has ruled out such a move.

Originally published as ‘Not leaving’: Dan Houston’s defiant call amid trade rumour