Dan Houston, Matt Rowell and the robust trade discussions at Collingwood

Collingwood coach Craig McRae was always keen to secure Dan Houston from Port Adelaide – but there was robust debate about what is was really costing the club. Here’s why.

Collingwood went all in on Dan Houston despite some of its recruiting team holding deep reservations about trading away a 2025 first round pick which could cost them a crack at Matt Rowell.

It comes as the Pies are now in talks with the AFL on whether they are allowed to instead trade their 2026 first-rounder for an established star like Rowell under league rules.

Dual All Australian Houston has trained the house down this year and shapes as an instant success, given his blend of intercept marking and tight-checking defence.

But in an off-season when McRae said, “I don’t want (draft picks), I want players”, it is understood there was robust discussion about what recruiting Houston would cost them in future years.

Collingwood’s only first-round pick from 2023-2025 will end up being pick 19 Ed Allan, with the AFL requiring clubs to take two first-round picks in every four-year cycle.

Dan Houston kicked an early trademark running goal in the AAMI Series. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

The former Power star is looming as an instant trade success at Collingwood. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

While coach McRae and list boss Justin Leppitsch were keen to secure Houston, there was much debate about whether the club was mortgaging its future for the present.

Rowell met with clubs in the off-season but even if he decided he wanted to move to Collingwood, it has little to no draft capital to make a deal.

The Pies have already traded their 2024 and 2025 first-round picks so, under the strictest interpretation of AFL rules, would have to draft a player with their 2026 first-rounder.

They have had discussions with the AFL about whether they can trade that first-round selection and have cautious optimism it is allowed, but have not yet received a definitive ruling.

The Power were given an exemption to trade a first-rounder for Jason Horne-Francis, despite those draft rules because he was only one year removed as the No.1 pick in the national draft – so the AFL felt Port was taking early elite talent.

If the Pies landed Rowell, he would also be a No.1 pick like Horne-Francis but would be six years into his career, so it would be a stretch on AFL rules.

Collingwood has aggressively remodelled its list management team, with long-time recruiter Derek Hine moved on and Adam Shephard declining a promotion to instead move to West Coast.

Leppitsch told the club’s pre-season documentary The Grind the club had sky-high ambitions to remain in contention while also looking to the future.

“The goal for us as a footy club is to remain competitive every year,” he said.

“To give our fans a chance to celebrate every game and a chance to know this year could be it.

“We think we can still compete for the now but also compete for the future

“It takes a lot of planning, thought and consideration but going to the bottom is not an option for us. We want to make sure we give our fans the best possible experience every game and every year, to give them hope that this year is the one.”

In the trade for Houston, the Pies gave up John Noble (Gold Coast), Joe Richards (Port Adelaide), pick 36 and their 2025 first-rounder and also got back pick 58.

Collingwood reasoned that the 2025 selection might easily drift into the 20s, where, on average, players picked only play around 70 games compared to top five selections.

They also secured GWS free agent Harry Perryman on a deal of up to $900,000 a season and St Kilda free agent Tim Membrey.

All three acquisitions look set to play a key role in the premiership tilt, with Leppitsch adamant the club had to compete for a flag every year.

Originally published as Dan Houston, Matt Rowell and the robust trade discussions at Collingwood