Collingwood, Port and Gold Coast are not talking in the one room about a three-way deal yet, but that is the net effect of negotiations on the eve of a busy trade period, with the Magpies presently favourites to secure Port’s half-back flanker Dan Houston.
The incentive for Gold Coast to bring in John Noble and ease the path for Port to trade for Jack Lukosius from the Suns moved the Magpies into favoured trader status for the Suns highly prized selection 13, a pick that, were the Magpies to secure it, they would seek to pass on to Port in a deal for Houston.
A long line of clubs are offering deals for pick 13 as one of the few early draft picks available for trade in a strong draft.
Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston is still being courted by a number of Melbourne-based clubs.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Richmond has also already said they want an extraordinary deal for them to be agree to Daniel Rioli’s request to be traded to the Gold Coast and has asked for the Suns’ picks six and 13.
What happens with pick 13 is thus becoming critical to what will unfold in the 10 days of the trade period, which opens on Monday at AFL house.
In preliminary talks the Magpies have offered Noble and their future first round pick to the Suns for picks 13, 20 and 26, a volume of picks that is unlikely to be successful given the competition in bidding for pick 13.
The Magpies would look to pass on 13 and 20 and most likely forward pocket Joe Richards to the Power for Houston.
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Carlton – who have also offered a deal to the Suns that involves their future first round pick for 13 – would, like the Magpies, use that pick as the basis of a trade with Port for Houston.
Port is likely to trade their future first round pick to the Suns for Lukosius – a move that would require AFL approval as the Power have already traded previous first round picks to recruit Jason Horne Francis.
The AFL would be likely to approve a deal in this situation.
But Port is keen to bring in a first round pick in this draft for Houston before being prepared to trade their future first for Lukosius.
A number considered unlucky some, this year’s No.13 could prove charmed for whichever team gets their hands on it.
