West Coast are said to have enquired about contracted Port Adelaide utility Dan Houston as the Eagles look toward brokering a deal with North Melbourne and the Power that would include Pick 2 and Jason Horne-Francis.
A three-club trade was raised in multiple reports this week, with the bulk of the deal seeing Horne-Francis and eagle Junior Rioli get their desired moves to Alberton, while Pick 2 would be sent from West Coast to the Kangaroos.
A sticking point in the discussions was seen to be the lack of value West Coast were receiving as part of the deal, despite a number of first-round selections swapping places.
It has now emerged that the Eagles could entertain the deal should the aforementioned Houston potentially be part of the trade, with the defender-midfielder hybrid landing at Lathlain Park as part of the agreement, according toย AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge.
West Coast is understood to have enquired about Port Adelaide's Dan Houston as part of the Junior Rioli talks + the three-team trade with North Melbourne and the No.2 pick.
Houston signed a five-year deal with the Power in March, taking him through to 2027. @AFLcomau
— Riley Beveridge (@RileyBev) October 6, 2022
Port Adelaide have already had to swat away suggestions star players like Zak Butters and Todd Marshall could be up for a trade as the club plans to secure Horne-Francis, who will demand a monumental trade package by North Melbourne to leave the Roos in 2022.
But with the Eagles' help of parting with Pick 2, it seems the Power will now need to provide an answer on the Houston's availability.
The 25-year-old re-signed with Port Adelaide this year, extending his tenure with the South Australian side until the end of the 2027 season.
Unlike Horne-Francis, Houston has no 'go home factor' in this trade, with the defender hailing from Victoria as an Oakleigh Chargers product.
It looms likely a player will need to be included in a trade for Horne-Francis however, whether that be a player heading to North Melbourne or West Coast from the Power.
