Magpies’ ‘million-dollar issue’ amid star’s shock trade links
Collingwood must spend this off-season working out how to maximise star defender Dan Houston, according to Western Bulldogs and Richmond great Nathan Brown.
The Magpies gave up a first round pick, pick 36, Joe Richards and John Noble to bring Houston to the club on a deal worth reportedly close to $1 million per season through 2030.
Collingwood defender Dan Houston. Getty
After making the All-Australian team in his final two seasons at Port Adelaide, the 29-year-old has not been able to replicate the same level of form at Collingwood.
Whether it's needing to play a more structured role in the Magpies' defence, team cohesion or a form slump, Houston's numbers across the board are down from his time at the Power.
Brown was disappointed with the defender’s performance in the side’s Wildcard Round loss to the Western Bulldogs, where he finished with just 14 disposals and three score involvements.
He was also questioned during the game by Melbourne champion Garry Lyon, after he failed to back into a marking contest claimed by a leading Aaron Naughton.
Brown believes the Magpies must work out how to best utilise his talents over summer.
“Like many Collingwood supporters, I was excited to see what he could do at Collingwood. It’s a million-dollar problem for Collingwood, how they get the best out of him next year,” Brown told Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show.
"I thought his first eight or nine games this year he was getting back to his best, but the last three months, I won't say he's been poor, but they're not getting anywhere near what they need out of Dan Houston.
"His kicking is so good, but he's just not getting the football enough at the moment. They talk about him not quite learning their system yet, but Josh Daicos gets plenty of the footy, Sam Swadling has gone back there and is getting a fair bit of it.
"They've got to work it out in the off-season. They have a weapon there. How do they get the footy in his hands more often. At the moment, it's a real issue. I thought he was really poor in the final against the Dogs."
Nine AFL reporter Damian Barrett commented that there have been rumours linking Houston with a trade out of the club. SEN reported on Monday that St Kilda has shown interest in him.
Brown, however, believes the Pies need to back themselves to solve the issue internally, particularly given how much they gave up to acquire him.
Arty Jones celebrates while Tim Membrey was consoled by his teammates. AFL Photos
“They’ve invested heavily in him. You don’t get too many players like that who can kick the footy like he can, and I think you’ve got to try and work with it,” he said.
"I think they've got to figure it out. You're paying him a lot of money. They've got to work out the best way to get the best footy out of Houston.
"I think that starts with him and approaching it with the best attitude."
Collingwood will have a busy free agency period, having already been linked to Lachie Neale, Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer, while Scott Pendlebury will depart for Gold Coast.
