Completely agree that Sinclair is better behind the ball but I think there is room for all three of them.
Houston's not a pressing need, but I think there's little doubt he would make us better in the role that was occupied by Bonner for most of the year. If you go by these ratings (I don't know much about their worth or how they are calculated) he is ranked the 10th best player in the AFL and number one defender. He's relatively durable and you'd hope to get 6-7 years out of him at a minimum.
So much of our game style revolves around uncontested marks, continuous ball movement and changing angles. I think it's why Bonner got such an extended run, why we drafted Arie and why someone like Dougal is perpetually on the nose. And why a player like Houston would be such a valuable commodity, not just for us but most clubs.
The game style is aligned with competition trends - 2024 was the lowest contested mark year since the stat was recorded. Sydney have something like the 7th-lowest average of any team in 25 years. The elimination final was a good example, the Bulldogs are the highest contested mark side in the comp but they got chopped up by the Hawks who kept the ball in motion, kept shifting the defence and were rarely hemmed into going long down the line to a contest, unlike the Dogs. Good kicks who have the ability to keep their composure and make good decisions under pressure are worth their weight in gold, and Houston is one of the best IMO.
He's the same age as Mason Wood when he came across, Jeremy Cameron to Geelong etc... plenty of football left in him. Like everyone I wouldn't want to give up too much draft capital but we'd be silly not to ask the question.
