A Trade Deal That Almost Wasn’t
On October 14th, 2024, as the sun set in Fiji, Nick Daicos was ready to celebrate. He had seen enough reports confirming that Dan Houston, a two-time All-Australian, was making the move from Port Adelaide to Collingwood. Confident that the deal was done, Daicos raised a toast, sending Houston a picture of a champagne bottle popped in celebration. However, while it seemed like a done deal, back in Melbourne, where the clock had just struck 6 PM, things took an unexpected turn. Within an hour, Houston’s anticipated move came to a sudden halt, leaving the trade hanging in uncertainty.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Houston, who had spent months navigating trade speculations, was waiting anxiously for an official word. “I was by my phone, just hoping to hear something positive,” he recalled. A call from his manager in the afternoon hinted that the trade was imminent, fueling his belief that his time at Port Adelaide was coming to an end. But just a few hours later, another call shattered that hope. “It’s all fallen through,” his manager informed him. Shocked and frustrated, Houston struggled to process the sudden change. Meanwhile, Daicos, who had unknowingly jumped the gun with his celebration, soon found out that the champagne might have been popped a little too early.
A Deal Finally Sealed
The tension lingered through the night, with Houston barely able to sleep, uncertain about what the next day would bring. Tuesday, however, brought renewed optimism. Behind the scenes, negotiations resumed, and the puzzle pieces finally started to fall into place. After hours of waiting and countless phone calls, Houston received the message he had been hoping for—the trade was official. “I was right here in my kitchen when I got the call. My phone had been plugged in all day because I was constantly on it,” he said. “Once the news broke, my phone stopped working for a bit with all the messages coming through.” With the deal confirmed, he reached out to Collingwood coach Craig McRae to express his commitment to the club. Playing for Collingwood, in his home city of Melbourne, had long been a dream, and now it was finally happening.
Managing the Pressure of Speculation
Houston’s journey to the Magpies wasn’t just about paperwork—it was a test of resilience. Throughout the 2024 season, his future was a hot topic in AFL circles. Playing at an elite level for a high-performing Port Adelaide team only amplified the speculation. “Trying to play good footy while all of this was happening was one of the hardest things I’ve done,” he admitted. The pressure in Adelaide, a city fiercely passionate about its football, was intense. Houston remained tight-lipped, determined to avoid distractions. “It was like living in a fishbowl. I had to keep my focus.” Meanwhile, Collingwood’s list manager, Justin Leppitsch, worked tirelessly to piece together a trade deal, knowing that without a first-round draft pick, securing Houston’s move would be a challenge.
A New Chapter Begins
Now fully settled at Collingwood, Houston is embracing his fresh start. Looking back, he acknowledges the role Daicos played, albeit unintentionally, in his journey to the Magpies. “We had a few FaceTime chats, and he talked about how great the club was. That really stuck with me,” Houston shared. Growing up alongside players like Nick and Josh Daicos made the move all the more appealing. “It felt like the right fit, and I told my manager to push hard for Collingwood.” As he prepares for his debut in black and white, Houston is ready to turn the page and begin his next chapter, leaving behind the rollercoaster ride of his trade saga.