Essendon has reportedly entered the Dan Houston trade equation, potentially shaping an already complex bidding war between clubs vying to secure the All-Australian defender.
North Melbourne and Collingwood are said to be the only rival clubs capable of landing the wantaway Power star, according to AFL.com's Cal Twomey.
The Bombers' latest bid, revealed by The Age, may involve swapping their coveted Pick 9 with North Melbourne in exchange for the Kangaroos' future first-round pick. If North accepts, they'd gain a strong draft position to leverage in the race for Houston.
This move by Essendon would bolster North's bargaining power against other clubs, including Collingwood and Carlton, who also seek to woo Port Adelaide.
The Magpies are reportedly eyeing the Suns' Pick 13 as a key asset in their trade package for Houston but face stiff competition from Melbourne and other clubs vying for the same pick.
As Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch shared on AFL Trade Radio, negotiations with multiple stakeholders, including Gold Coast, have been “complicated and messy.”
Leppitsch voiced concern over risking Collingwood's future for a single trade, adding that, despite Port's hefty demands, “the future of the footy club is most important.”
Collingwood's initial offer of a future first-round pick and defender John Noble for the Suns' Pick 13 and selection 23 may no longer satisfy Gold Coast, who now have several enticing offers on the table for their draft assets.
Meanwhile, Carlton is in the fray with Picks 12 and 14, both acquired in a recent swap with Hawthorn. The Blues could potentially sway Port's decision by packaging these picks into a tempting trade offer for Houston, although they may prefer to retain at least one first-round selection in the upcoming draft. This approach would give Carlton flexibility, especially if the other clubs' negotiations for Houston stall.
While North Melbourne is weighing the advantages of multiple top-10 draft picks, including using Essendon's Pick 9 as leverage, there's no certainty Houston will end up with them or any of his suitors.
Houston has yet to nominate a preferred destination, leaving Port with considerable control over the trade, given his remaining contract. This gives the Power the final say on whether to proceed with any deal, a factor that adds another layer of uncertainty to an already crowded trade scene.
As clubs prepare for the final trade stretch, Houston's future remains uncertain. His camp continues to assess all potential moves, evaluating which club can offer the best deal to Port Adelaide while fulfilling his ambition to return to Melbourne.
The coming days will determine whether the Magpies' pursuit or North Melbourne's bold draft strategy will prevail.