Dan Houston reveals desire to play for Carlton coach Michael Voss before Collingwood trade

Dan Houston has revealed he wanted to join Carlton and reunite with Michael Voss before being traded to arch rival Collingwood. This is how his Blues dream fell apart.

Collingwood recruit Dan Houston wanted to play for Michael Voss and the Carlton coach wanted him too, before the Blues made a trade period pivot to go after pick No.3.

Houston was one of the trade period’s most wanted men and met with Collingwood, Carlton, North Melbourne, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.

Finding a deal that satisfied Port Adelaide was always going to be the sticking point in luring the dual All-Australian back to Victoria, with a complex trade between the Power, Pies and Gold Coast eventually getting it done.

Dan Houston in his new home at Collingwood. Picture: Collingwood FC

But before then, the Blues were seen as a frontrunner for the half-back.

Carlton snagged pick 14 from Hawthorn midway through the trade period but instead of using that to try and nab Houston, Blues list boss Nick Austin chose to work up the draft order and ended up with the third pick in next month’s draft.

That choice put fierce rivals Collingwood in the pole position to land the rebounder.

While Carlton is now in position to draft a young star, Voss’ team would likely have been better in 2025 with Houston instead.

Houston had played under Voss when he was an assistant coach at Port Adelaide and ran into the Carlton coach at the Hawthorn cafe in which Voss apprehended two people in a stolen car incident this year.

The Power star is now a Pie. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“We had some open conversations, I have a good relationship with him and I wanted to play for him and he wanted to have me in the team,” Houston said.

“It didn’t look throughout the whole time the Blues could get the job done and it sort of chopped and changed a bit.

“In the end it was the Pies. I am super happy it was the Pies and that was one of my preferences throughout the whole year.”

Michael Voss wanted Houston. Picture Lachie Millard

Houston first told Power coach Ken Hinkley he was leaning towards a return to Victoria during the bye week in the middle of the season, with his family and partner all living in Melbourne.

He said he couldn’t wait to play in front of the famous Magpie army.

“I have been pretty open minded the whole time and once the Pies really came into the picture over the last five or so days, I have been able to really wrap my head around what it means for them,” Houston told 3AW this week.

“All the fans have been super supportive and it is such a nice feeling walking into a big club like that and having such a nice reception.”