North Melbourne is actively pursuing a trade for Essendon’s ninth pick, a strategic move that could significantly impact the race for Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston. The Kangaroos are not alone in their interest; they face competition from clubs like Collingwood and Carlton, both of which are seen as Houston’s preferred destinations.
Houston, a two-time All-Australian defender, is highly sought after, but the Western Bulldogs are unlikely to enter the fray, focusing instead on securing adequate draft compensation from Geelong for Bailey Smith. According to anonymous sources in list management, North Melbourne is willing to exchange their future first-round pick to acquire Essendon’s selection. This would give the Kangaroos leverage to negotiate for Houston, as they are hesitant to trade their second pick unless they can split it to gather more first-round assets.
Should this trade unfold, North Melbourne could still retain two top-10 picks in what is expected to be a strong draft. However, the challenge lies in the fact that beyond pick nine, Essendon only holds the 31st pick this year. They may acquire another selection if Jake Stringer opts for a trade to Greater Western Sydney, further complicating the draft landscape.
Houston’s desire to return to Melbourne is clear, but he has yet to indicate a preferred club and is under contract with Port Adelaide for four more years. This gives Port significant control over any potential trade, deciding both whether to move him and which club he may join.
North Melbourne is not the only team eyeing Essendon’s ninth pick; rival recruiters believe it could soon be challenged by a bid for Essendon’s Next Generation Academy prospect, Isaac Kako. It’s likely that either Melbourne or St Kilda will attempt to secure a bid on Kako, potentially before Essendon has the opportunity to draft him. Meanwhile, Collingwood is in search of Gold Coast’s 13th pick but has encountered stalled negotiations due to Melbourne’s aggressive interest in that selection.
Adding to the complexity, Carlton’s recent trade for Hawthorn’s 14th pick, combined with their existing 12th pick, positions them favorably to meet Port Adelaide’s demands for Houston. The Blues aim to secure at least one first-round pick in this year’s draft and are weighing their options carefully, considering both the possibility of a trade for Houston and the potential to move up in the draft order.
As the trade period unfolds, all eyes will remain on the shifting dynamics between these clubs, particularly as they vie for Houston and navigate the intricate draft process.