McRae can free two Magpies with one move. It’s the switch he must make this off-season |
It should have been the most devastating double-barrelled attack coming out of their back line. In the end, it cannibalised itself.
To salvage something of the Dan Houston trade, Collingwood next year need to go back to 2024 and return Josh Daicos to the wing and on the ball, and – like Port did – the Pies need to make Houston their primary architect from defence.
Dan Houston was Collingwood’s big-name recruit in 2025, but he didn’t deliver enough.Credit: Nathan Perri
A year ago, Collingwood brought in Houston. They also moved the older Daicos to the half-back line. The logic appeared sound; with two creative talents and punishing kicks to open up the ground, the Magpies would build their attack from defence. But it didn’t work.
Houston was a two time All-Australian half-back flanker in a Port Adelaide system that was built around him, and to exploit his rare right boot. At Collingwood in 2025, he was made to fit the system, rather than having it built around him, and he finished the season looking a slow, one-sided, B-grader.
Most teams can afford one defender who doesn’t play on anyone and has the job of distributing the ball, but not two. Houston was squeezed out of his favoured role at Collingwood and forced to play second fiddle to Daicos.
Dan Houston was Collingwood’s big-name recruit in 2025, but he didn’t........