By Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan
Money Talks.Credit: The Age
Back-to-back All-Australian defender Dan Houston remains a live trade target for Victorian clubs as Carlton forward Matt Owies prepares for an extended wait to discover his fate.
Houston is contracted for four more years at Port Adelaide, but is keen to return to Melbourne if the Power can broker a deal that suits all parties.
The Blues, Western Bulldogs and Collingwood are working away in the background, with the decisions of players including Isaac Cumming, Harry Perryman and Jack Lukosius a key factor in whether Port agree to part with Houston.
Port would prefer to retain Houston, but two industry sources told this masthead that contracted Gold Coast swingman Lukosius was leaning toward the Power as his preferred destination over the Crows.
Man in demand: Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston.Credit: AFL Photos
Lukosius has not decided, according to a separate source familiar with the situation, but he has a close relationship with Port’s Connor Rozee.
Cumming has informed GWS that he will exercise his unrestricted free agency rights to sign with a South Australian club, but has not indicated which one and is viewed as a 50-50 proposition despite the prevailing industry view that the Crows were favourites.
However, unrestricted free agent Perryman’s decision could impact Cumming’s call, according to two sources familiar with negotiations.
Cumming, who is friends with fellow Broken Hill product and Adelaide great Taylor Walker, has family connections in Adelaide and is highly rated at the Giants, but has had soft-tissue problems this season.
He could follow Perryman to Port Adelaide if the latter chooses to pledge his future to Alberton.
The Power remain favourites for Perryman’s signature despite both Collingwood and Hawthorn also holding interest. The Magpies recently upped their offer for Perryman after failing to convince Adelaide’s Irish defender Mark Keane to join the club.
Out-of-contract Collingwood forward Joe Richards is also weighing up a three-year offer from Port – which could extend to four, according to one industry source – versus a two-year deal to stay at the Pies.
Demon Alex Neal-Bullen has already nominated the Crows after requesting a trade home to SA for family reasons.
Matt Owies’ preference is to remain at Carlton.Credit: AFL Photos
Adelaide may lose forward-ruck Elliott Himmelberg, another unrestricted free agent, with Gold Coast keen to add him to their big-man stocks after his brother Harry’s club, GWS, made inquiries on him 12 months ago.
Another defender, Nick Haynes, is also leaving the Giants and is bound for Carlton, who have encouraged Owies and contracted pair Matt Kennedy (2025) and Lewis Young (2026) to explore their options.
West Coast and North Melbourne have expressed early interest in 201-centimetre backman Young, while St Kilda, Collingwood and Geelong are being linked to Kennedy, although Western Bulldogs on-baller Jack Macrae has nominated the Saints after requesting a trade last week.
This masthead revealed St Kilda’s interest in Macrae at that time.
Owies’ preference is to remain at Carlton, on what would be a one-year deal after a 33-goal campaign in 2024, but that scenario will depend on list spots and what happens with the Blues’ Houston pursuit – and if Young and Kennedy find new homes.
Melbourne and Essendon are potential alternative options for Owies. Jesse Motlop and Ashton Moir are set to be prioritised up forward at Carlton.
Breakout Giants James Peatling is also weighing up his future, according to two industry sources, despite saying ahead of the club’s semi-final that he wanted to remain at GWS.
The Giants have increased their offer since mid-year, with Peatling transforming into a key contributor in the midfield by season’s end, including kicking two goals in the first quarter of Saturday’s semi-final while playing on Lions star Dayne Zorko.
The interest in Peatling from Victorian clubs such as St Kilda and Collingwood has not disappeared, and he is considering his future, even if he may remain at the Giants beyond 2024.
Premiership Eagle hopping away?
West Coast key forward Jack Darling’s move to North Melbourne appears to be a formality, with the 298-gamer completing a medical on Monday ahead of a potential trade.
A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed the routine medical took place this week, with some preliminary discussions already occurring between the clubs.
Darling is a long way removed from the player who kicked a career-high 59 goals in a season and earned All-Australian honours five years ago, but his presence and experience could help reduce the Kangaroos’ heavy reliance on star spearhead Nick Larkey.
Jack Darling (left) looks likely to join North Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
The 32-year-old is contracted for one more season, but has fallen down the pecking order at the Eagles, who view Jake Waterman, Oscar Allen and Jack Williams as the present and future of their forward line.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has openly discussed his want to add experienced talent to his list, particularly with Liam Shiels and Hugh Greenwood retiring.
Former Sydney co-captain Luke Parker, who also has a year to run on his contract, is also considering returning to Victoria to play for the emerging Roos, but is focused on the Swans’ premiership assault.
Cats to retain veteran defender
A unique skill set and positive attitude throughout the season when he was playing in the VFL will earn premiership defender Jed Bews a new one-year deal at Geelong.
“They are actually working through it right now, which is good,” Bews said. “That will all play itself out in the background.”
The 30-year-old has forced his way back into the team late in the season and played in the qualifying final against Port Adelaide after being the sub in the final round.
Jed Bews is likely to remain at the Cats in 2025Credit: Getty
His role in finals could prove crucial as he matches up well against opposition small forwards such as the Lions’ Charlie Cameron, Sydney’s Tom Papley and Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli.
With Tom Hawkins and Zach Tuohy retiring, the Cats are likely to re-contract veterans Mitch Duncan and Rhys Stanley for 2025. Premiership players Gary Rohan and Brandan Parfitt are both also out of contract.
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