AFL trade news: Dees fail in pursuit of Dan Houston, Ben Hobbs attracts interest from rivals

The hits continue to come for Melbourne, with their trade plans thrown into disarray following a call by a Port Adelaide All-Australian.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Dan Houston of the Power celebrates a goal during the round 21 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on August 03, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Melbourne’s bid to secure Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston has fallen over, continuing a horror week for the Demons.

It is understood Houston has had second thoughts about making the move to the Demons despite Melbourne’s strong interest in the All-Australian playmaker.

It is a blow for Melbourne who had their eye on Houston to help improve their delivery from the back half.

But the club will be forced to look elsewhere as it is aware Houston is considering other options.

Houston, 27, could have also helped replace Alex Neal-Bullen to a lesser degree after the wingman told the Demons he wanted to head home to South Australia.

Dan Houston has turned his back on the Dees. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Neal-Bullen’s likely landing spot is Adelaide Crows.

It has been a turbulent week for Melbourne which is holding talks with superstar Christian Petracca over his frustrations with the club which have put a cloud over his future in red and blue.

The off-field issues at Melbourne mean Houston is considering other clubs in Victoria to continue his AFL career, but in any case a deal could be very difficult.

Port Adelaide wants two first-round picks for Houston even if they are in the teens.

A single pick inside the top-10 could also get the deal over the line with a sweetener, but it remains unclear how another Melbourne club could get it done.

Geelong wants Western Bulldogs’ Bailey Smith and Hawthorn is set on Tom Barrass from West Coast.

St Kilda is eager to bolster its draft position.

MIDFIELD LOGJAM COULD FORCE PRIZED DRAFTEE OUT OF DONS

Essendon hard nut Ben Hobbs could become the first major victim of the Bombers’ midfield logjam and search for more senior opportunities at a new club next season.

Hobbs, who had played only 10 games this year, has attracted interest from clubs as a ready-made onballer who could made an immediate impact in new colours next season.

Rivals are expected to ramp up their inquiries at season’s end in a bid to lure the 20-year-old out of Tullamarine where he has fallen out of the regular senior midfield mix in the back half of this year.

Collingwood could make a play to bolster its onball brigade and take the physical load off Nick Daicos, while Richmond had strong interest in Hobbs in his draft year.

Contracted ruckman Nick Bryan is also expected to become the most in-demand ruckman of the trade period after showing some encouraging signs in his past three senior hit-outs.

Will Ben Hobbs be out of the Dons? (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

After a disappointing finish to the season coach Brad Scott is expected to make some strong decisions on the list and in particular examine the surplus of midfield talent at season’s end.

At Essendon, Jye Caldwell and Sam Durham have cemented their position ahead of Hobbs in the centre square alongside skipper Zach Merrett, star ballwinner Darcy Parish and over the past six weeks, veteran Dylan Shiel.

Plus Will Setterfield had 43 touches in the VFL against Northern Bullants one week ago and youngster Elijah Tsatas, who was taken pick five in the draft two years ago, is also searching for more opportunities and could be engaged in trade talks.

Archie Perkins has also been dumped to the VFL after dwindling form.

Hobbs, who was used as the substitute in the loss to Gold Coast on Saturday might, has seen a reduction in senior game time after averaging 20 disposals across 18 games last season and only 13 touches across 10 matches in 2024.

It means Essendon could look to use its multiple picks in this year’s draft to reshape the list and, in particular, look for another developing key forward.

Hobbs has fallen out of Essendon’s midfield mix. Picture: Mark Stewart

Full forward Peter Wright has struggled for form this year and has also been dumped to the VFL.

The Bombers currently have pick nine to use in a draft thick with more midfield talent at the top end and will also welcome clever small forward and next generation academy member Isaac Kako.

A bid for Kako is expected to come around pick 15-20 as the top small forward in this year’s draft pool.

But, after originally taking Hobbs at pick 13 in the 2021 national draft, Hobbs may only command a second-round pick in any trade as this year’s draft pool is strong.

Hobbs, from Horsham, signed a two-year contract last year, meaning he is out of contract next season when rivals could lure him out of Essendon for less if he remains beyond this season.

Originally published as AFL trade news: Dees fail in pursuit of Dan Houston, Ben Hobbs attracts interest from rivals