Port Adelaide reject blockbuster trade offer to send Dan Houston away

One of the biggest names on the AFL’s trade table has been left in limbo after a blockbuster three-team move was sensationally snubbed.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Dan Houston of the Power celebrates a goal during the round 21 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval, on August 03, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Dan Houston was on the brink of being a Collingwood player, but Port Adelaide wasn’t having it.

The dual all-Australian Power player was linked to joining the Pies as one of five players included in a trade that also featured the Gold Coast Suns.

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Nine’s Tom Morris first reported the blockbuster trade would send Houston to Collingwood and see three players join the Power with one playing joining the Suns.

AFL Media’s Callum Twomey however later reported on Monday night that the deal was pulled off the table by the Power.

The Herald Sun’s Glenn McFarlane wrote on X: “The Power wants a greater return or will start looking towards a Kangaroos trade. Most parties thought the deal was done, including the Houston camp.”

Houston is set to land in Collingwood. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The proposed three-team trade would have seen Collingwood land Houston and pick 58 while the Power would’ve walked away with picks 13, 29 and 36 along with Jack Lukosious, Joe Richards and Rory Atkins.

The Suns would’ve finished the trade with John Noble, Pick 39 and two future first-round picks (one from Port, one from Collingwood).

Port Adelaide rejecting the offer now leaves Houston back in limbo with two days to go in the AFL’s Trade Period.

Speaking on the potential of landing Houston, AFL great Nick Dal Santo heaped praise on Collingwood for their ability to acquire him for 2025 and beyond.

“This (deal) all revolves around Houston; that’s clearly the big name within this, but it also has a flow-on effect - this one, I love,” Dal Santo said on the Fox Footy Podcast.

“The modern game, a lot of it is based around a sound team defence … the top four had a stable defence.

“What’s the only thing that can trump defence? Ball use, and elite use by foot - and Dan Houston fits that bill.

“They go out of their way at Port in previous years to give him the ball; whether he’s in a good position, or a bad position. They say: ‘we trust you to distribute the footy as good as anyone.’”

The addition takes the Pies to new heights. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The addition of Houston to the backline will elevate Collingwood into one of the most formidable defensive units in the AFL.

“You’ve got Darcy Moore, Isaac Quaynor … you’ve got Brayden Maynard; the hard edge - you’ve got (Steele) Sidebottom that’s gone back there for a different dynamic - I like that, I love that,” Dal Santo said.

Houston’s name has been floated in trade speculation for months with his reported move to Collingwood being one of the biggest to take place in the trade period.

The AFL’s 2024 Trade Deadline will come to a close on October 16 at 7:30pm (AEDT).