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Date Posted: 12:58 01/12/24 Sun
Author: Annabelle
Author Host/IP: 139-216-204-154.sta.dodo.net.au / 139.216.204.154
Subject: Article on Dan Houston, his trading in, Tennant Creek etc. from The Hun

Dan Houston recaps trade period chaos, reveals hopes for Collingwood’s 2025 season
There’s a sense of relief about Dan Houston now after a whirlwind trade period. After Collingwood’s pre-season trip to the Northern Territory, Houston reveals why he’s so happy to be a Pie.

Glenn McFarlane
Glenn McFarlane

5 min read
December 1, 2024 - 12:15PM


heraldsun.com.au01:15
Matt Turner breaks down the Dan Houston trade




Matt Turns takes a deep dive into Port Adelaide's thinking behind the Dan Houston trade.
Collingwood
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It was the five-hour, 500km carpool this week from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek that solidified in Dan Houston’s mind why he was so eager to fast-track building connections at his new club Collingwood.

He was sharing the drive on the gun-barrel straight Stuart Highway piercing through Central Australia with young Magpies ruckman Iliro Smit, new assistant coach Matthew Boyd and the club’s new Indigenous player development manager Brady Grey.

With no internet access for most of it and with only conversation to keep them focused, the dual All-Australian halfback told the Herald Sun the varied discussions helped in part build the bonds that he hopes will serve the Magpies well in 2025.

Dan Houston and the Pies up in NT. Picture: Joe Turmine/CollingwoodFC
Dan Houston and the Pies up in NT. Picture: Joe Turmine/CollingwoodFC
“We got the bottom of a few conspiracy theories,” Houston said with a laugh. “Then we chatted about things, about what keeps us going as individuals and our hobbies and stuff.

“We flew out (of Melbourne) on Thursday morning, so it was basically a whole day of travelling. It was three hours (on a plane) to Alice and then five hours or maybe even longer with all the stops to Tennant Creek.

“We had no reception, and it was so good to connect with the people who were in the car with me. We just chatted the whole time and got to know each other better.”

He says the same thing most likely happened with the other members of the Magpies’ cultural immersion camp to Tennant Creek, which forms part of the club’s new induction program for players and staff on what it means to be a Collingwood person.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAGPIE
Among those on the four-night camp, which ends on Monday, are coach Craig McRae, skipper Darcy Moore, fellow recruits Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey, newly listed AFL and first year AFLW players and a host of new staff members and executives.


“It’s been a really good experience coming up here and connecting with the younger boys and the AFLW girls who are new to the club, as well and all the staff and the board,” Houston said. “I’ve obviously known Darcy for a long time, but it’s great reconnecting with him too.”

So what has this trip north taught the 27-year-old about what it means to be a Magpie now?

“I think what it means to be a Collingwood person is being family-first and that has been really driven by ‘Fly’ (McRae) and Darcy (Moore),” he said.

“I think it is also about the standards required to be a winner on and off the training track.”

The importance of family at Collingwood resonated with Houston, as he was keen to return to Melbourne in 2025 after eight seasons with Port Adelaide to be closer to his family.

“Coming back and reconnecting with my family on a weekly basis has been something I missed a lot when I was at Port Adelaide,” he said.

“To have them as a support has been important. I feel it gives me a bit more balance in life.”

Darcy Moore addresses Collingwood training. Picture: Joe Turmine/CollingwoodFC

ROLLERCOASTER
There is a sense of relief and happiness in Houston’s voice now, especially given the rollercoaster of emotions he went through during the 2024 season.

At various stages of the year, it seemed as if he was headed to Melbourne, then he seemed set to join Carlton before a five-game suspension for his bump on Izak Rankine – which saw him sidelined in the finals – meant he even looked for a time likely to end up staying with the Power.

But he maintained Collingwood always loomed large in his plans, especially with his connection to Moore and Jordan De Goey via playing with them at the Oakleigh Chargers, and the Daicos brothers, through their school connections.

“I guess through the whole process you have to do your due diligence,” he said. “But for me and talking to my manager (Paul Connors), Collingwood was a huge preference as I knew I could come here and play with players I’ve played with before.”

Houston ended up at Collingwood in the trade period. Picture: Joe Turmine/CollingwoodFC
Houston ended up at Collingwood in the trade period. Picture: Joe Turmine/CollingwoodFC
Then, just when a trade looked over the line, the Power stepped back from the precipice, muddying Houston’s future for the best part of 12 more hours.

“I guess every day feels like a week during the trade period,” he said. “I was down at my beach house (in Victoria) sitting by the phone. It was a bit of a rollercoaster.”

The deal was reinstated early the next day and when Connors called him and told him a deal had been done, he couldn’t have been more delighted.

“Once I got the phone that I was officially a Collingwood player I was over the moon.”

TENNANT CREEK
Houston’s time at Port Adelaide saw him play a match in Alice Springs, but he had previously never been to the remote communities near Tennant Creek.

“It’s been such an insightful trip,” Houston said. “(On Friday) we trained in the morning and got going on our cultural experience.”

“We went to a place called Kelly’s Ranch, where (Warumungu elder Jerry Kelly) taught us about how to live in the bush (in a bush tucker and bush medicine experience).

“Then we went over to the arts factory where we listened to some of the locals play music and wanted some of the locals draw their dot painting.”

At Friday night’s community barbecue, the players signed autographs, kicked the footy with the local kids and handed out merchandise to the community.

“The kids loved it,” he said.

The new Magpie says he’s learnt plenty up at Tennant Creek. Picture: Joe Turmine/CollingwoodFC
The new Magpie says he’s learnt plenty up at Tennant Creek. Picture: Joe Turmine/CollingwoodFC
HOW THE PIES WILL FARE IN 2025
Houston is confident the Pies can return to finals action next season after narrowly missing out this year.

“There were a range of emotions for me towards the end of this season, sitting out the finals series,” he said. “But I think this team is in a really good position to play finals next year.

“The real bonus is that the likes of Scott Pendlebury and Jack Crisp have experienced a lot of finals footy, and we’ve got a lot of young players coming through who will be pushing to put pressure on the senior players.

“Reef McInnes has started really well down back and TJ (Tew Jiath) has been awesome.

“You can see the hunger of those boys to win an AFL spot, which will push the team.”


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He said the recruitment of Perryman gave the Pies some extra versatility, while Membrey also provided some forward back up.

Houston said he wanted to fulfil McRae’s desire to have players capable of playing multiple roles, even if he expects to spend more time in defence than midfield.

“Fly is really strong on … being able to play in multiple positions.

“That is something I’m working on. Whether he decides to put me in the middle or at half back, I am open to whatever. But I do think the majority of my football will be at half back.”

He can’t wait to play in front of the black and white army at the MCG next year after seeing it from the opposite side.

“I look forward to being on their side and playing for them. They’ve welcomed me with open arms. I am super thankful.”

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