Four-time premiership winner Jordan Lewis has slammed Port Adelaide for failing to put pressure on former player Dan Houston in their first clash since his move to Collingwood. In what he described as a “huge miss,” Lewis believes Port should have made Houston’s return as difficult as possible. Instead, the dual All-Australian defender thrived, collecting 27 disposals and 10 intercept possessions as Collingwood cruised to a commanding 91-point victory at the MCG.
Houston’s impact was undeniable, helping the Magpies generate 63 points from their defensive half—one of their best returns in the past five years. Collingwood’s 136-point total under coach Craig McRae was also their highest since he took charge, underscoring the Power’s failure to contain their former star. The result raised concerns about Port Adelaide’s approach, particularly their unwillingness to apply physical pressure to disrupt Houston’s influence.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s On the Couch, Lewis expressed his frustration with Port’s passive approach. “When a player leaves a club, you have to make their return as tough as possible,” he argued. “It’s one of the easiest things a coach can instruct, but Port did nothing. No physicality, no pressure—just let him play his game.” While he acknowledged there’s nothing wrong with showing respect after the final siren, Lewis insisted that once the ball is bounced, there should be no room for niceties.
Lewis predicted that Port players would regret their lack of intensity when reviewing the match footage. He pointed out that historically dominant teams balance off-field camaraderie with ruthless on-field competitiveness. “I guarantee if you’re a Port player watching the replay, you’d be kicking yourself for not stepping in Houston’s way, for not making it harder for him,” he said. He also placed some blame on the coaching staff for not pushing a more aggressive approach.
Collingwood great Nathan Buckley weighed in, suggesting that while this kind of physical targeting was common in past eras, it’s now far less prevalent in modern football. “I’ve noticed today’s players don’t carry that old-school mentality, especially if they’ve played together before,” Buckley observed. “But maybe they should.” With no other scheduled matchups between the two clubs in the home-and-away season, Port Adelaide won’t get another chance to rectify their mistake—unless they meet Collingwood in the finals.