AFL 2024: Collingwood wary of future in three-way Dan Houston trade

Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch has given insight into the tricky negotiations between three clubs involving contracted players.

Port Adelaide star Dan Houston is yet to nominate Collingwood as his preferred destination, but the Magpies believe they are leading the race. Picture: Sarah Reed / Getty Images

Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch says the soaring value of a first-round pick held by Gold Coast is making it “complicated and messy” for the Magpies to bring across Dan Houston.

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

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.

Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch says a move for Port Adelaide defender Dan Houston (pictured) is becoming increasingly ‘messy and complicated’. Picture: Mark Stewart

“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.

“I’m not sure … we’re a little bit different, because Dan hasn’t nominated a club, so it’s not like he’s definitely coming to us, whereas John (Noble) has got a destination he wants to go, and Jack Lukosius knows where he wants to go.

“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.

Justin Leppitsch says Collingwood wants to take Gold Coast’s pick 23 to the draft if it can receive it in a trade for defender John Noble. Picture: Josh Chadwick / Getty Images

“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.”

The Power also reportedly want the Suns’ no. 23 pick as part of a Houston deal even if it includes Collingwood forward Joe Richards, which Leppitsch suggested the Pies were not willing to part with if they secured that pick in the Noble deal.

He said they were mindful of being armed with the picks needed to secure father-son prospect Tom McGuane in 2025, which would be done under the league’s stricter rules coming in next season.

“We’d like to (keep a high draft pick), and that’s probably where the arm wrestle comes in,” Leppitsch said.

“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.”