Prized Gold Coast Suns draft pick could unlock Dan Houston deal
A bevy of clubs — including a pair of Victorian powerhouses — are ‘chasing’ a prized draft pick that could unlock a blockbuster trade.
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A bevy of clubs — including a pair of Victorian powerhouses — are ‘fiercely chasing’ the prized draft pick that could unlock a Dan Houston trade.
Plus, Collingwood continues to show interest in a free agent defender.
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SUNS PICK TO UNLOCK HOUSTON TRADE?
Gold Coast’s Pick 13 could be the catalyst to Dan Houston’s return to Victoria amid continued rival interest in the prized draft selection.
It was originally the No. 12 selection before St Kilda’s compensatory Pick 8 for Josh Battle shifted it down one spot on Friday.
AFL Media journalist Cal Twomey reports Collingwood and Carlton are among the sides ‘fiercely chasing’ the potentially-attainable Suns pick.
It was reported just a few days ago by Twomey that up to six clubs had eyes on the selection, with Gold Coast preparing to match an early-first-round rival bid for Academy prospect Leo Lombard.
In addition to the Pies and Blues — and North Melbourne and Adelaide from Twomey’s previous report — Melbourne, Sydney, GWS and the Western Bulldogs are said to have shown interest in acquiring the pick; eight in total.
Collingwood — whose interest in Houston remains ‘strong’ — is thought to be eyeing Pick 13 in an arrangement that also involves sending John Noble to the Suns.
In one scenario, the Magpies could on-trade Pick 13 to the Power along with forward Joe Richards — who is seriously weighing up an offer from Port Adelaide — for Houston.
On the other hand, Carlton and Melbourne are each considering sending a future first-rounder to the Suns in exchange for No. 13.
The Blues are a hot candidate to land Houston, wanting to on-trade Pick 13 to Port Adelaide for the All-Australian — but Twomey believes that selection alone wouldn’t be enough to get a deal over the line.
The Swans and Giants, meanwhile, each have multiple first-rounders this year that they might use as bargaining chips to trade up the order.
PIES STILL INTO DEMON
Collingwood reportedly remains interested in acquiring Melbourne free agent Adam Tomlinson.
The 31-year-old key defender remains in limbo with the movement period now underway, with the Demons deciding against offering the key defender another contract.
The Magpies remain ‘a potential landing spot’ for the 185-gamer, per AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich.
Leaving the Giants in 2019 after three consecutive seasons of at least 24 senior games, Tomlinson’s Melbourne tenure hasn’t been anywhere near as fruitful — playing no more than eight games per season over the past four years, including eight in 2024.
The former No. 9 draft pick played just eight senior games this season for the Demons after nine in 2023.
Collingwood hasn’t been shy in its hunt for key-defensive depth after the retirement of Nathan Murphy, having recently fallen short in a pursuit to reunite with Adelaide’s Mark Keane.
Gold Coast and St Kilda are also among the clubs that have reportedly expressed an interest in Tomlinson.
Originally published as Prized Gold Coast Suns draft pick could unlock Dan Houston deal
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