By Marc McGowan, Jake Niall, Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson
The three-way blockbuster trade that would have made All-Australian Dan Houston a Collingwood player and Jack Lukosius a Port Adelaide player has fallen over after the Power rejected the latest form of the deal.
While the parties had been edging towards a trade - in which the Magpies would give up a future first-round and John Noble plus a second-round pick for Houston, with Port landing pick 13 and Lukosius and Rory Atkins from the Suns - Port on Monday night rejected the deal as proposed.
Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston wants to play for a Victorian club in 2025.Credit: AFL Photos
Earlier, the expectations from some of the parties involved had been that a deal was close.
While it remained possible that the deal could be revived on Tuesday, there was also the possibility that the Suns would seek to broker a deal for Noble without including Lukosius. They can also do a separate deal to trade pick 13.
Under the most recent form of the proposed trade, Port was gaining Lukosius, Atkins, Magpie Joe Richards and picks 13, 29 and 36 for Houston and picks 39 and 58; Collingwood was acquiring Houston plus pick 58 for the price of their 2025 first-round pick, Noble, pick 36 and small forward Richards; Gold Coast was landing Noble, future first-rounders from the Pies and Power and pick No 39.
Port Adelaide had beaten the Crows in the tussle to land Lukosius while Collingwood had been the preferred destination for Houston, with North Melbourne having made a huge pitch.
Port had clearly preferred that Houston be traded to North Melbourne given that the Roos were offering a future first round choice - potentially a top four pick - as part of any Houston deal.
Houston’s wish to return to Victoria despite being contracted until 2028 triggered a frenzy of interest.
Melbourne were in pole position and held preliminary discussions with the Power, but fell out of the race after the Christian Petracca saga played out in the media and caused a change of heart from the Port star and fellow Connors Sports client.
North Melbourne made a huge play for Houston and tried unsuccessfully to land Essendon’s No.9 pick before turning their attention to Gold Coast’s No.13.
However, they were always considered outsiders, and their years-long hunt for a big-name recruit continues.
Carlton had the assets to pursue a Houston deal, particularly after acquiring Hawthorn’s No.14 selection for two future picks on Friday, and expressed interest along the way, but are big fans of the 2024 draft class and instead intent on climbing the order.
The Blues have explored options to try to gain West Coast’s No.3 pick with their two first-round choices.
The Western Bulldogs and St Kilda also had a dip at Houston, but were not in contention by the time trade period started.
Houston has played 168 games since the Power selected him in the rookie draft out of the Oakleigh Chargers nine years ago.
Barrass stalemate stretches on
West Coast and Hawthorn remain divided on Eagles key defender Tom Barrass’ worth entering the last two days of this year’s trade period.
West Coast would like two first-round picks for Barrass and have proposed giving a future second-round selection back.
Premiership-winning Eagle Tom Barrass wants to finish his AFL career with Hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos
However, the Hawks believe a future first- and second-rounder – whether theirs or Carlton’s – is an appropriate offer.
The Eagles are also surveying options to “split” their pick three before contemplating a swap for Carlton’s picks 12 and 14, which could unlock the Liam Baker deal.
Another trade domino nears
The Suns made good progress on their chief trade target, Richmond club champion Daniel Rioli, who will head north to reunite with former Tigers coach Damien Hardwick on a five-year contract.
Richmond were adamant from the start of negotiations that they wanted more than Gold Coast’s pick six in return for Rioli, and they will also score the Suns’ No.23 selection.
There will be a swap of later picks that will aid Gold Coast’s mission to match a bid for their latest academy prospect Leo Lombard, who is set to receive an opposition bid as early as the top 10.
That is why the Suns were always going to part with their pick 13.
No Stringer call yet
Jake Stringer could land at his third club after the Giants showed interest in the 30-year-old.Credit: AFL Photos
There is still plenty that needs to happen before Jake Stringer’s potential trade to the Giants.
The veteran Essendon forward, whose 42 goals this season were his equal-most since 2016, is yet to fully commit to the move, while GWS and the Bombers are still at loggerheads over Stringer’s trade worth.
The Giants hold picks 53 and 56, which could both be offered for Stringer, whereas Essendon think their No.37 selection is closer to his worth. However, the 30-year-old must also get his head around relocating interstate and living away from the two children he parents with his ex-partner.
No progress on Parker
Former Sydney captain Luke Parker is no closer to joining North Melbourne, with the clubs yet to resume serious talks on a deal to make him a Roo.
North tabled their No.62 selection as their initial offer for the 293-gamer, after securing West Coast key forward Jack Darling for pick 67 on Monday last week.
The Swans rebuffed that offer, and have not made a formal request on what they want in return for Parker, who turns 32 this month.
The Kangaroos could use pick 25 as the key element in a package to prise Caleb Daniel out of the Bulldogs, but also have the No.44 selection to potentially put forward for Parker.
Dees make Sharp offer
Melbourne hope to secure their Alex Neal-Bullen replacement with pick 49, the only other selection they hold outside their pair of top-10 choices.
The Demons have identified Brisbane’s endurance king Harry Sharp, who was an emergency in the Lions’ grand final victory, as the player who could fill Neal-Bullen’s high half-forward role.
Sharp obliterated the two-kilometre time trial record at the AFL draft combine in 2020, clocking five minutes and 28 seconds. The now-21-year-old was Brisbane’s No.43 pick that year, but has played only 16 games since.
Get daily updates on all the AFL trade period action. Sign up for our Real Footy newsletter.