Three Victorian clubs are reportedly keen to lure Port Adelaide All-Australian defender Dan Houston back to his home state this off-season.
Houston is contracted at Alberton Oval for the next three seasons but was said to be weighing up a potential move east this year.
Melbourne was viewed as the front-runner to land Houston after it was revealed the 27-year-old might be keen to return to Victoria. However, recent concerns at the Demons have seen the rebounding backman go cold on the move to the red and blue.
Other Victorian clubs have remained keen on Houston, who ranks as one of the best medium-sized defenders in the AFL, before the Oakleigh Chargers announced he will remain with the Power from 2025.
"I've said in the past that I'm contracted and I absolutely love the footy club, I love being in Adelaide," Houston toldย FiveAAย last week.
"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."
According toย The Age,ย Collingwood have joined Carlton and St Kilda in hoping to convince Houston to rekindle his interest in moving to the city of Melbourne.
The publication's report states Houston met with both the Magpies and Blues during his time in Victoria last week for the AFL Awards, where he won his second successive All-Australian blazer.
Any trade deal for Houston is expected to see the Power demand multiple first-round draft selections for their star defender, an asking price that will hurt Collingwood and Carlton's chances.
The Magpies are without an early draft pick for this year's count, while Carlton are keen to hold onto their first selection - currently at Pick 11 - for November's intake.
Collingwood are likely to bolster their draft hand via the departure of wantaway defender John Noble, who is said to be seeking a move to the Gold Coast.
The Suns have Picks 6, 13, 20, 26, 34, 46 and 70 for this year's draft, with one of the two selections in the 20s potentially involved in a trade deal for the South Australian flanker.
Off-contract pair Joe Richards and Reef McInnes could also secure moves on the open market, as could fringe midfielder Fin Macrae.
The reigning premiers currently enter the draft at Pick 32, which could be pushed back even further as it is tied to Hawthorn.
St Kilda, on the other hand, could enter the trade period with three first-round draft picks at their disposal, with draft compensation for the incoming loss of free agent Josh Battle to Hawthorn likely to net the Saints either a first-round or end-of-first-round selection - adding to their current picks for 2024 and 2025.
Category one compensation would see the Saints handed Pick 8 for the loss of Battle, while the next best pick they could receive would come after Pick 20 - all depending on the off Battle has accepted from the Hawks.
