AFL Trade news 2024: Carlton all but out of race for Dan Houston

Key meetings have all but ruled Carlton out of the Dan Houston race as Port Adelaide sets its asking price. Is Collingwood paying too much?

Collingwood is still the resounding favourite to secure Dan Houston as it is urged to hand over pick 23 as well as No.13 to secure the dual All-Australian Port Adelaide defender.

Carlton has now all but been ruled out of the race for Houston given its determination to return to the draft, following extensive meetings on Wednesday between Houston’s management, Port Adelaide and Collingwood.

North Melbourne is still in a distant second place but not officially out of contention given it is prepared to hand over a future first-rounder for the defender.

The 27-year-old is keen to play for Collingwood and if the Pies relent on some of their trade demands they will get that deal done by the end of the trade period.

Houston has not officially declared he wants to play for the Pies given he needs to keep his options open, but Collingwood is confident he is their preferred destination.

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Dan Houston appears bound for Collingwood. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Collingwood would like to hand over John Noble and its future first-rounder for Gold Coast’s picks 13 and 23, but the Suns are not happy with that deal.

In the end the Pies might have to part with another later selection to get that deal done.

But if the Pies secured this year’s 13 and 23 they could hand them to the Power, who would accept that deal along with Collingwood’s Joe Richards.

So while the Pies might feel they are giving away too much for Houston, the net gain of their trade period would be securing two ready-made players while they were in the premiership window.

They have already secured GWS defender Harry Perryman as a free agent.

The Pies know their first-rounder next year might start at pick 15 but be blown out by up to 10 spots given the avalanche of academy prospects who will be bid on by northern states clubs.

Clubs are already preparing for the academy prospects to dominate early selections after their strong form in recent national championships for the Allies side.

Originally published as AFL Trade news 2024: Carlton all but out of race for Dan Houston