Hi Lachie,

Although it seems like Carlton is back in the race for Dan Houston, reports at this stage suggest Collingwood is still the favourite.

If anything this makes Port Adelaide's hand in negotiations with the Magpies stronger though, knowing Carlton can be used almost as a shadow bidder.

The Blues have been pretty adamant about keeping their picks in this year's draft though.

Here's what Pies head of strategy Justin Leppitsch said of talks with Port over Houston.

We’re hoping to get it done, but it’s not going to be easy. That’s the difficult part, getting everyone happy on the deal. We’ve got all these players involved, who are all contracted, and can stay at their own homes, so I guess everyone is holding the card where they can keep that particular player,” he said.

“I’m not sure … we’re a little bit different, because Dan hasn’t nominated a club, so it’s not like he’s definitely coming to us, whereas John (Noble) has got a destination he wants to go, and Jack Lukosius knows where he wants to go.

“It is getting complicated, and messy at stages, so there is a lot to work through.”

The Kangaroos are still not giving up hope of landing Houston as well.

“I would say we’re still in the mix,” Roos list boss Brady Rawlings told Trade Radio.

“His request has been to come back to Victoria and last time I checked we are in Victoria and we are keen to look at him.

“The main thing for us is probably to put something to Port that is attractive for them. Clearly they have a lot to weigh up there with a couple of other clubs coming pretty hard as well.”