Port Adelaide are likely to be busy in the final hours of the 2024 AFL trade period to finalise a deal for Dan Houston, whilst Power football boss Chris Davies has confirmed the AFL will need to grant his club permission to trade another future first-round pick for Jack Lukosius.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Davies hinted missing out on Harry Perryman's preference to Collingwood may have reduced the chances of a Houston exit, with the contracted defender requesting a move to Victoria.
"For us it was... trying to work with Dan in good faith to say 'well if we can bring someone who we believe might be able to replace you then we may be more open to you leaving'. That quite hasn't worked for us here," Davies said.
"We've now got to look and make decisions for what we think are the best interest of Port Adelaide down the track.
"I don't think Dan and his camp could suggest that we haven't had a crack at bringing someone in who might be able to replace him. Now we've got to go through this next period of time working out what is best for Port Adelaide."
Davies held firm that Houston won't be let go easily, implying that Port Adelaide will hold the 27-year-old to the final stages of the trade period if need be to ensure an appropriate deal gets done.
“Dan won't be leaving for anything less than what we think he's worth," Davies said.
"At the start of trade periods everyone's walking round flexing their muscles, and I'm good enough to know I don't have that many muscles to flex, so we'll wait until the end of the trade period to see what that looks like... The people who are involved know what our expectations are."
Davies was also asked about Gold Coast forward Jack Lukosius, who has verbally agreed to sign with the Power, and what it will take to get a deal completed.
The Suns are likely to ask for a first-round pick, which Port Adelaide do not own this year, as they traded a future first-rounder for two second-round picks tied to Fremantle last year.
Therefore, the Power will have to seek permission from the AFL to trade another future first-round pick, given they also traded their 2023 selection to North Melbourne in the Jason Horne-Francis deal.
AFL clubs can only trade future first-round picks if they have used at least two first-round picks in the previous four-year period. If Gold Coast demand a first-round pick, it would mean Port Adelaide haven't used a top selection in three consecutive drafts.
Hence, Davies noted that the Power will need to receive permission from the AFL to land the likely deal for Lukosius, but is adamant it will be granted.
"We will have to go to the AFL if we are using any future first round selection," Davies said.
"I don't think anyone would suggest that the deal that we did for Jason Horne-Francis - a 19-year-old, giving up two first round picks - would preclude a club from being able to apply to the AFL for that discretion (trading a future first rounder)."
Should the Power be permitted to trade their pick, Davies is keen to quickly sort out the paperwork for Lukosius.
"We'll work with Craig Cameron and the Gold Coast to make sure that we get that to happen," Davies said.
Drafted as a key forward out of South Australia, Lukosius has shifted positions as he finds his feet in the AFL. However, as a booming left-foot kick, Davies said he hopes Lukosius will develop into a staple of the Power forward line that has openings available.
"We see him as a forward. [We] loved his work when he was a draftable talent, we think we can do some more development work to make him a really good forward," Davies said.
"Obviously for us, with Charlie Dixon going out, we played Esava (Ratugolea) up there at the end of the year. Certainly we're mindful of Todd's (Marshall) [concussion] situation. For us, bringing Jack Lukosius in, we think he's a forward and he'll certainly get a crack at playing in that position for us if we're able to get him through this trade period."
The AFL trade period begins on Monday October 7, although for Port Adelaide, the closing date of Wednesday October 16 at 7:30pm AEST looms to be the more significant day.