St Kilda have reportedly entered the race for Port Adelaide All-Australian defender Dan Houston, as the 27-year-old's interest in a switch to Melbourne wanes.
Reporter Sam Edmund told SENย St Kilda could be a path Houston will take in order to move back home to Victoria.
"There has been conversations between club and player here. My understanding is Houston has a level of interest in getting to Moorabbin," Edmund said.
Houston's newly found interest in St Kilda comes as off-field controversy smothers the Demons, with the potential for star attraction Christian Petracca to a chance to leave the club this trade period.
โHe was strongly linked to Melbourne for a time and that did appear the most likely outcome before things further unravelled at the Demons,โ Edmund said.
โThere's the possibility that he remains at Port, but with the Melbourne door closing they've been looking at other avenues."
The 2023 All-Australian, and potential 2024 selection after his nomination in this year's 44-man squad, would form a quality backline at Moorabbin, playing alongside fellow 2023 All-Australian Callum Wilkie, as well as Dougal Howard.
Houston could also be joined by Melbourne defender and unrestricted free agent Adam Tomlinson, who Edmund too suggested could head to the Saints.
St Kilda's current third man up, Josh Battle, looks likely to depart for Hawthorn this off-season, leaving a void that could be filled by Tomlinson and Houston.
Enduring a five-game suspension for his bump on Izak Rankine in Round 23's Showdown, Houston may have played his last game in the Power strip. Houston is unable to return this year, even if Port Adelaide make the grand final. Despite the door on Melbourne closing, the door at St Kilda is opening, presenting Houston with another club to land at for 2025.
"As things stand, he is one to watch when it comes to St Kilda's trade period," Edmund added.
