AFL 2025: Collingwood will give recruit Dan Houston a licence to take the game on at all costs this season
There will be no shackles on a Collingwood recruit set to make his club debut, with coach Craig McRae backing the defender to take the game on.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae says star recruit Dan Houston is “like no one else” and will give the rebounding defender a licence to thrill this season.
Houston, who sat out round 1 serving a suspension from last season, will make his club debut against old side Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
He is a much-needed addition to the Magpies’ back half after they scored just two points from transition in their 52-point loss to GWS in Opening Round.
Houston has liberty to take risks and will be told “if you stuff up, who cares, go again”.
“Yeah, Dan is like no one else, we want you to show us what you’ve got, display your strengths, show the world how good you are at something,” McRae said.
“If you stuff up, who cares, go again, you’re a brilliant kick. Those things, we’re looking forward to that next week.”
Harry Perryman was one of Collingwood’s best on club debut, while Tim Membrey had a quieter afternoon on Sunday.
Despite the disappointing result, McRae said the new players had added “an eerie of excitement”.
“I think when you bring in players in the quality like Dan and obviously Harry, the place jumps, they’re very excited,” he said.
“We’re bringing this huge talent into our organisation and there’s energy for that, you hit the ground running.
“Then you see Dan Houston doing his unbelievable kicks out of D50, Harry is laying 10 tackles at training and Tim is kicking goals.
“There’s an eerie of excitement in that. I think we’re gelling quickly, you have to in a new system, new colours. There is a different energy in that.”
Collingwood has Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs before its bye in round 3.
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