Dan Houston’s Form Slump Costs Collingwood $1M Per Season After Trade

Collingwood faces a costly problem with defender Dan Houston, who has failed to deliver on his $1 million-per-season contract since arriving from Port Adelaide. The Magpies gave up a first-round pick, pick 36, Joe Richards and John Noble to secure the 29-year-old through 2030. After making the All-Australian team in his final two seasons at Port Adelaide, Houston’s numbers have dropped sharply at Collingwood, managing just 14 disposals and three score involvements in the Wildcard Round loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Why Houston’s performance has disappointed

Houston made All-Australian in his last two years at Port Adelaide but has not matched that form at Collingwood. His disposals, score involvements and overall impact are down across the board. Nathan Brown, a Western Bulldogs and Richmond great, said Houston’s kicking is excellent but he is not receiving enough of the football to influence games. Brown believes the issue stems from how Collingwood uses him defensively, not a lack of talent.

What Collingwood paid for the trade

Collingwood gave up a first-round pick, pick 36, Joe Richards and John Noble to bring Houston to the club. The deal is worth reportedly close to $1 million per season through 2030. For that investment, the Magpies expected a star defender to anchor their backline, not a player struggling to adapt to their system.

Brown’s assessment of the off-season challenge

Brown told Nine’s The Sunday Footy Show that Collingwood must work out how to get the best out of Houston over summer. He noted that Houston’s first eight or nine games showed promise, but the last three months revealed a pattern of underuse. “They’ve got to work it out in the off-season. They have a weapon there,” Brown said. Other defenders like Josh Daicos and Sam Swadling are receiving more of the football, suggesting a structural issue rather than a talent problem.

What happens next for Collingwood

The Magpies’ Wildcard Round loss to the Western Bulldogs ended their 2026 season early, giving the club time to reassess its defensive strategy. Collingwood must decide whether to adjust its system to suit Houston’s strengths or accept that the trade may not deliver the expected return. The club has until the 2027 season to prove the investment was worthwhile.

Final Thoughts

Collingwood’s $1 million-per-season gamble on Dan Houston has backfired so far, forcing the club to rethink how it deploys the defender. The off-season will be critical in determining whether Houston can rediscover his All-Australian form or remain a costly underperformer.

FAQs

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.