Dan Houston is interested in joining St Kilda with the All-Australian star keen to move back to Victoria.
When it first emerged the 27-year-old could leave Port Adelaide, it appeared like Melbourne were in pole position to snare the flanker.
But with the Demons dropping to 14th on the ladder in 2024 and a player exodus looking possible led by Christian Petracca, Houston has reportedly cooled on the idea of joining Melbourne.
According to Sam Edmund, St Kilda have reached out to Houston and the player moving to Moorabbin is a chance.
"There has been conversations between club and player here. My understanding is Houston has a level of interest in getting to Moorabbin," Edmund said on SEN.
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How could Dan Houston get to St Kilda
The Saints have picks 7, 24 and 43 in the upcoming AFL National Draft, with a first-round pick likely the starting point for negotiations with Port Adelaide to snare Houston.
If Josh Battle leaves St Kilda for Hawthorn via free agency, the Saints could receive a first-round compensation they could use for trading.
The club also has their future first as an option.
How would Dan Houston fit in at St Kilda
Intriguingly, the Saints have a glut of riches in Houston's best position, with the Power star earning All-Australian 2023 selection in his role as a half-back flanker.
St Kilda already has dual All-Australian Jack Sinclair and budding star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as their twin defensive playmakers.
It is possible that Houston could play alongside the duo, but it's more likely position shifts will happen.
Houston has played midfield successfully in the past at Port Adelaide but hasn't been needed in the engine room with the Power possessing several midfield stars.
The Saints could redeploy Houston as a midfielder and keep their backline rebounders in place.
There is also the option of using Houston as a playmaker but playing Sinclair through the middle or Wanganeen-Milera on a wing.