‘Not going to be easy’: Pies caught up in ‘messy’ impasse over Power star as rivals circle

 

Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch says the soaring value of a first-round pick held by Gold Coast is making it “complicated and messy” for the Magpies to bring across Dan Houston.

Leppitsch said a deal with Port Adelaide and the Suns involving Houston, Jack Lukosius and Magpies defender John Noble was up to its 30th variation, as the Power demanded a higher price than the Pies were currently willing to pay.

In his first off-season as list manager, Leppitsch said the Magpies had to strike a “fine balance” between pursuing Houston and prioritising “the future of the footy club”.

Complicating matters further is that the dual All-Australian halfback is yet to nominate a preferred destination, with Carlton and North Melbourne remaining interested.