Port Adelaide ‘furious’ over ‘delusional’ trade development

The first stoush of the AFL Trade Period has exploded with Port Adelaide reportedly refusing to talk to a rival club.

Dan Houston with Port fans for the final time? Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Port Adelaide are reportedly “furious” over Carlton’s latest offer surrounding Power star Dan Houston.

The dual All-Australian officially requested to be traded to a Victorian club last week — coming just weeks after he said publicly he wanted to remain with the Power.

Houston is one of the biggest dominoes set to fall this Trade Period with several Victorian clubs already being linked to the star.

The 27-year-old recently met with Carlton, Collingwood, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, with Port reportedly seeking two first-round picks back in a swap.

North Melbourne has also shown strong interest in Houston, according to reports.

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It shows how massive the gulf is between Carlton and Port Adelaide that the Blues are reportedly hoping to pull off a deal using a potential future first round pick.

SEN’s Sam Edmund on Monday reported Port Adelaide are “angry” at Carlton’s offer and they have stopped talking to each other directly.

“Port Adelaide are furious with Carlton and don’t even want to deal with them until they are willing to offer up Pick 11,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“They are talking via Houston’s manager, they aren’t talking directly to each other.”

Dan Houston (left) and Zak Butters. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“They are angry at what they perceive to be Carlton arrogance in the early negotiations here.

“They’re not even talking directly at the moment. They’re talking through Dan houston’s management. They’re passing on messages at the moment.”

While explaining Carlton’s plan of trading to get a third-party club’s future first round pick so they can send it on to Port Adelaide, former Power star Kane Cornes asked Edmund about Port Adelaide’s view on the offer.

Edmund responded: “The word that was used from Port Adelaide is, ‘Delusional. Absolutely delusional’.”

SEN reports Carlton is determined to hold onto its first-round pick (currently No. 11 overall).

Carlton forward Matt Owies is also reportedly on the trade table and could potentially be packaged up with the future first round pick offer the Blues want to make to the Power.

Owies is remarkably still without a contract offer from Carlton four weeks after their elimination final loss to Brisbane.

Dan Houston saying goodbye to Power fans? Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Edmund reported on SEN: “Port powerbrokers say that is delusional when it comes to a 27-year-old two-time All-Australian who is contracted for three more years.

“It’s understood Melbourne was happy to trade to first round picks to secure Houston before the Demons were engulfed in their latest crisis.

“Yet the interest in Houston remains strong among rival clubs. Sources said North Melbourne was set to launch a major bid to bring Houston to Arden Street, with Alastair Clarkson playing a typically hands-on role.

“Ultimately, Port Adelaide is highly unlikely to sanction Houston’s release for anything other than a strong return given it doesn’t own a first-round pick in one of the best drafts in years.”

Houston’s trade request clearly shocked the Power last week after he’d earlier indicated his intent to remain with the club, where he has an additional three seasons still to run on his contract that doesn’t expire until the end of the 2027 season.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said last month he was “really comfortable” that Houston hadn’t played his last game for the club — after Houston was given a five-game ban for knocking Izak Rankine out cold.

“He has got a three-year contract with our footy club, loves our footy club,” Hinkley said.

“I’m really comfortable that Dan will play more games for Port.”