By Peter Ryan, Marc McGowan and Michael Gleeson
North Melbourne are determined to use their strong draft hand to try and win the Dan Houston sweepstakes, despite remaining at long odds to defeat Collingwood and Carlton in the race for his signature.
The Houston trade is one of the more intriguing situations involving a quality player for several seasons, as the Blues and Magpies are not certain they will have the draft capital to convince Port Adelaide to trade a player with four years left on his contract.
The Kangaroos have the No.2 pick in this year’s draft and are open to “splitting” that selection, or their future first-round pick into multiple assets.
Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston (second from left) wants to play for a Victorian club in 2025.Credit: AFL Photos
Either scenario would give them a bigger carrot to dangle in front of the Power than Gold Coast’s coveted No.13, which Collingwood and Carlton need to secure to remain a realistic chance of landing the two-time All-Australian Houston.
Essendon are interested in improving their draft position to have a pick before a bid is made on Next Generation Academy graduate Isaac Kako. Clubs, including Melbourne, are considering making the bid before the Bombers’ pick nine.
Houston has not yet nominated the club he wishes to join, although the Blues are considered his preferred destination.
He has a long-standing friendship with Blues forward Jack Silvagni and a prior relationship with coach Michael Voss, who was an assistant at Port Adelaide from 2014 to 2021.
Collingwood are also confident about winning Houston’s commitment if they score the Suns’ pick 13, enabling them to use that selection as the central part of a package that could include Joe Richards, who has requested a trade to Alberton.
The Magpies would like to get picks 13 and 23 from the Suns in exchange for Noble and a future first-round pick. Little progress had been made on Tuesday between the Suns and either Collingwood or Carlton.
Port Adelaide need to be satisfied with their return, given Houston is contracted through the 2028 season, particularly after they missed out on securing Giants free agents Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming.
North Melbourne GM of football Brady Rawlings is in the thick of things this trade period.Credit: AFL Photos
That could improve the Kangaroos’ chances of securing the 27-year-old defender, as the Power may decide they are only prepared to release Houston to the club that can deliver them the best return.
North Melbourne list boss Brady Rawlings has made it clear to all parties that they are willing to explore all options to present Port with the best deal, having decided after meeting with Houston to make him an offer worth considering.
“I think it will come down to whoever gets the best value for Port Adelaide, and if that’s the case, we’d like to be in it,” Rawlings said.
“I’m not too sure where it probably sits, in who leads the race. I think when you’ve got a player in contract for a couple of years still, it really comes down to the club that has that player and what they want for him. So, while that is still up in the air, we think we’re still a chance.
“We’re certainly open to what it could look like. To bring a player of Dan’s quality into our club, clearly it’s got to be something significant.”
Meanwhile, premiership Bulldog Caleb Daniel is yet to make a call on whether he wants to continue his career at the club where he is contracted for two more years, or accept North Melbourne’s offer.
Daniel’s senior opportunities dried up this past season, but that would not be a problem at the Roos.
Caleb Daniel may consider asking the Bulldogs for a trade if he believes senior opportunities will be scarce in 2025.Credit: AFL Photos
Two industry sources, who wished to remain anonymous to speak about trade matters, said North would need to come up with a package that could get a deal done before Daniel would contemplate asking for a trade.
The Power have also made it clear they want to negotiate the Jack Lukosius deal separately to any potential Houston trade, even with Collingwood and Gold Coast working on moving parts that could impact the Power.
Suns swingman Lukosius has requested a trade to the Power, choosing them over the Crows after falling out of favour late in the season.
The 24-year-old has two years to run on a back-ended contract worth about $2.5 million, with a future first-round pick discussed between Port and Gold Coast in preliminary negotiations.
Jack Graham joins the Eagles
Richmond’s dual-premiership player Jack Graham officially became an Eagle on Tuesday, accepting a four-year deal to sign as an unrestricted free agent.
The Tigers received pick 42 as compensation – a selection that won’t grease the negotiating wheels – as the two clubs discuss a deal to see former Tiger Liam Baker become an Eagle.
The pick might help them secure the Lions’ first selection, pick 19, which is up for sale as Brisbane seek points for both Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall.
Hayes has a medical at Magpies
St Kilda’s fringe big man Jack Hayes has done a medical at Collingwood as the Magpies look for reinforcements at both ends of the ground.
Hayes has played eight games for the Saints since being taken as a pre-season supplementary selection in 2022 and earned a Brownlow vote on debut in Craig McRae’s first match as Magpies coach.
St Kilda big man Jack Hayes.Credit: AFL Photos
Hayes has had knee trouble, which the Magpies’ doctors were assessing before pursuing the player who is yet to be re-signed by the Saints and is most likely being sought by Collingwood as a delisted free agent. He played two AFL matches in 2024 and half a dozen VFL games with Sandringham.
Collingwood need support in defence, having lost Nathan Murphy to a medical-enforced retirement and missed out on recruiting former Magpie-turned-Crow Mark Keane.
Injuries last season to Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox exposed the club’s lack of key forwards before Dan McStay returned from his knee injury.
Owies is after opportunity, not a pay rise
Matt Owies’ manager Matt Bain has scoffed at a report that his client was demanding $800,000 per year to continue his AFL career.
The small forward is yet to be offered a contract at Carlton despite kicking 33 goals this season, and Bain told this masthead that Owies was “looking for opportunities to continue his career, rather than a pay rise”.
Owies has played 72 games for the Blues but has been caught in a salary crunch at Carlton, which has also opened the door for midfielder Matt Kennedy and defender Lewis Young to explore their options at other clubs, despite being contracted.
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