Young forward could ‘unlock’ mega-deal as great proclaims Pies flag fancy… if they get it done

An AFL legend said that Collingwood would be a top four force again with the signing of Dan Houston. And may a youthful Port key forward be able to facilitate a trade?

Despite interest from Carlton, who plans to hold onto its first-round choice, and North Melbourne, the Magpies have emerged as the front-runner for Houston after securing free agent Harry Perryman last week.

If talks dragged on, it might lead to a convoluted three-way deal involving Collingwood, Port Adelaide, and Gold Coast that would also send Jack Lukosius and Joe Richards to the Power and John Noble to the Suns.The Pies would essentially receive dual All-Australian Houston and possibly a later pick from the Suns, like selection 23 or 29, in exchange for Noble, Richards, their own 2025 first round pick, and possibly a later pick. “Collingwood has won brilliantly, and they still have a ways to go.” “We all thought it was going to be Carlton a week ago, but the Magpies have jumped over,” Glenn McFarlane of the Herald Sun stated on Fox Footy’s Trading Day.

Although he hasn’t formally nominated Collingwood, Houston is eager to visit Melbourne. These days, he thinks Collingwood is a great alternative.

This is a pretty good backfield: Houston, Josh Daicos, Jeremy Howe, Isaac Quaynor, Brady Moore, and Brayden Maynard, if he plays halfback. All of them are either All-Australian nominees or All-Australians themselves.

“They already have (Harry) Perryman; it would be a fantastic outcome if they could acquire Dan Houston in this trade.”

Jordan Lewis, a Hawthorn stalwart, thinks Collingwood is still looking for a big forward to bolster to its lineup and wonders if it would also seek Ollie Lord, 22, in the Houston de