In a shocking development, Port Adelaide's two-time All-Australian defender Dan Houston has rejected the possibility of departing the club, despite intense murmurings that he was set to seek a trade.
Reports of Houston's desire to leave the club surfaced on July 17 with the suggestion that he wished to return to his home state of Victoria.
The Melbourne Demons became the primary destination being speculated, though the club's ongoing crisis has seemingly repulsed the 27-year-old enough to seek an alternative.
More recently, the St Kilda Football Club made headlines as the potential landing spot for the rebounding back, with ties being to the club's list boss Stephen Silvagni and fellow All-Australian Jack Sinclair, both of whom Houston held junior connections with.
Being contracted with the Power until 2027, the word coming out of the club was consistent throughout the past month that Houston is committed to Port Adelaide and will play for the club for the remainder of his contract.
Speaking with FiveAAย ahead of Port Adelaide's upcoming finals run, Houston himself declared the same message, flipping his previous alleged desire to leave for a Melbourne-based club.
โNot leavingโ
WATCH | Dan Houston on his future at Port Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/rqTVnQko7m
— FIVEAA (@1395FIVEAA) August 29, 2024
Asked bluntly if his future lies with Port Adelaide, Houston answered:ย "Yeah, absolutely."
"I've said in the past that I'm contracted and I absolutely love the footy club, I love being in Adelaide.
"I've got my focus in particular in the next five weeks and helping this team push for finals and get them in the best possible condition.
"I'm not leaving next year.
"I wouldn't have signed the contract if I wasn't keen... I love the place, I love the footy club and the footy club's been good to me so, yeah I'm committed to Port Adelaide."
Houston's five match suspension for a brutal bump on star Crow Izak Rankine may have played a role in his change of tune.
Coach Ken Hinkley and the club itself went in to bat for their player, appealing the verdict at the tribunal and sharing a glowing assessment of Houston's character throughout the process.
"It just reaffirmed the feelings (I) have for Port Adelaide. They've always got my back, they've always been really supportive of me and they did everything that they could to try and help me during that period," Houston shared.
"The boys have been magnificent and I can't complain at all."
Thought to have played his final game in the teal uniform following the suspension, Houston now looks set to line up for the Power in 2025.
Unfortunately for him and the club, they will be a two-time All-Australian short in their September run coming up, where they could potentially make some serious noise with home finals and a landmark Grand Final berth.
