Dan Houston future remains uncertain as Collingwood concedes trade talks have become messy

One of Dan Houston’s suitors has conceded trade talks have become ‘complicated and messy’, with the All-Australian defender yet to nominate his preferred club.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 30: Dan Houston of the Power warms up during the 2024 AFL Round 03 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval on March 30, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood’s bid to secure Dan Houston is at risk of being gatecrashed by rival clubs trying to steal Gold Coast’s pick 13 from under their noses.

The Pies are aware their path to securing the dual All Australian is growing more difficult by the day given Gold Coast’s trade demands even before they try to broker a deal with the Power on Houston.

On Friday Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch vowed the club would not trade away its future for the present, saying the soaring value of the Suns pick 13 made a deal “complicated and messy”.

Gold Coast is being hit by a bevy of offers for pick 13 which mean the Pies offer of a future first-rounder and John Noble for that prized No.13 selection and the Suns’ selection 23 might not be enough.

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Any deal to make Dan Houston a Magpie has become “messy”, according to Justin Leppitsch.

Melbourne is offering up a future first-rounder and pick 28, Sydney would offer picks 19 and 22 and the Dogs would part with a future first rounder.

So even securing the first leg of that trade in a multi-club arrangement looks challenging.

If the Pies did secure that selection they would have another brawl with the Power on Houston’s value.

They aren’t prepared to offer more than pick 13 and Joe Richards despite the Power’s request for 13, 23 and Richards.

North Melbourne is waiting on the wings with Carlton not prepared to part with picks 12 and 14 and the Pies running into trade headwinds.

The Pies have some low-level interest in Brisbane’s Dev Robertson so if the deal falls over he could be a fall-back as midfield cover.

Leppitsch said a deal with Port Adelaide and the Suns involving Houston, Jack Lukosius and Magpies defender Noble was up to its 30th variation, as the Power demanded a higher price than the Pies were currently willing to pay.

Justin Leppitsch says there’s “a lot to work through” for the Magpies.

In his first off-season as list manager, Leppitsch said the Magpies had to strike a “fine balance” between pursuing Houston and prioritising “the future of the footy club”.

Complicating matters further is that the dual All-Australian halfback is yet to nominate a preferred destination, with Carlton and North Melbourne remaining interested.

“We’re hoping to get it done, but it’s not going to be easy. That’s the difficult part, getting everyone happy on the deal. We’ve got all these players involved, who are all contracted, and can stay at their own homes, so I guess everyone is holding the card where they can keep that particular player,” Leppitsch told AFL Trade Radio on Friday.

“It is getting complicated, and messy at stages, so there is a lot to work through.”

Leppitsch said the Suns’ no. 13 pick, which Port Adelaide wants as part of a trade for Houston, initially looked like an easy get as part of a trade for Noble, but now has multiple suitors.

“At the start, pick 13 was just going to be an easy part of the deal for Nobes, along with other things of course,” he said.

“But now, given the fact it comes a number of other clubs wanting it, Gold Coast probably realises the value it actually has, it unlocks probably more value than what it actually is. Whoever gets a hold of it can do a lot of things with it. Hence why it’s more than just that pick.”

“Give up all your draft hand for one player, or go a different tact? That’s where it’s going to come down to for us.

“I feel for Port a little as they have missed out on a couple of free agents, so they are looking for value ... we can not let it cost us our future.

“It’s a very fine balance. We’re respecting that, and we know the value of that, but the future of the footy club is most important.”