- Mar 1, 2014
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When you have our bargaining power you get what you ask. A contract is a contract and how is it that a player signs a five year deal then reportedly wants out two years into the deal? All I have heard from Dan is that he is happy to stay at Alberton. The trade rumours are being are being spread by the ratings builders on SEN and 5AA.
Port do not have to 'talk tough' as we hold all the bargaining chips we only have to name our price and if the supposed Houston suitors do not want to pay the price he stays.
Bringing in a player because he wants to play for you is only half the deal. The player you bring in actually has to be good enough. That has been our problem over the past decade, we have had plenty of candidates keen to join us but not many who could get the job done.
To be honest I cannot think of anyone currently on the market who has expressed a desire to come to SA and who is good enough to replace Houston. If the so far unsubstantiated rumours eventuate then first round Draft picks are an option but the Draft is a lottery and there is no guarantee that we would end up with two consistently good AFL performers.
Dan Houston's biggest attribute is his consistency and this is a quality that is sadly missing from many on our list and the reason why we do not win those must win games. This is reflected in Houston's performance in our B&F where he has finished 3rd in each of the last three John Cahill Medal counts. You do not trade that sort of player away for the best you can get you only trade him for what you want.
