“It’s a disastrous deal”: Cornes slams Port Adelaide after dealing Houston in mega-trade

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has slammed the club’s decision to trade Dan Houston to Collingwood in a five-player mega-trade that netted them Jack Lukosius, Rory Atkins and Joe Richards in return.

The deal went down on Tuesday afternoon less than 24 hours after the club initially pulled out of a presented offer.

From Port Adelaide’s perspective, what was finally agreed upon was that they’d give up Houston, a future first-rounder and pick 39 + 58 in this year’s draft.

In return, the Power collected Lukosius from the Suns – who they’ve reportedly given a six-year deal, his Gold Coast teammate Atkins who has played just 37 AFL games in the last four seasons and Collingwood’s Richards who has played 9 AFL games.

On top of those players, the Power picked up selections in this year’s draft at No. 13, 29, 36 and 50.

At the crux of the deal, Cornes feels that the Power effectively traded Houston for picks 13 and 29, a trade that he feels is a disaster.

“The Dan Houston trade's gone down … it’s a disastrous deal for Port Adelaide,” Cornes told SEN.com.au.

“It’s like the scene in Pulp Fiction where he stands up and says, ‘Everybody be cool this is a robbery!’ That’s what’s happened to Port Adelaide here.

“You've essentially traded a dual All-Australian who you had on the contract for three years on good money - favourable money for Port Adelaide - for pick 13 and 29. That's essentially what you've done.

“I know there are some steak knives thrown in … Rory Atkins, I just can't work that one out. You've actually done Gold Coast a favour and taken his contract off their hands, but you get no benefit.”

In granting Houston’s trade request and picking up Lukosius, Richards and Atkins – Cornes thinks it’s a sign that the club is rebuilding. The issue with that is that the Power gave up their future first-round pick in the deal.

Cornes also doesn’t agree with handing the talented but inconsistent Lukosius a long-term deal given his struggles with form in recent seasons.

“Same with Jack Lukosius, it just says to me that Port Adelaide are rebuilding, but it's confusing because if you're rebuilding, you want to finish down the bottom next year,” Cornes said.

“The problem with that is you've given away your first pick for Jack Lukosius, which could if Port Adelaide finish bottom six … a very good pick inside the top 10.

“And you've given him six years, Jack Lukosius is a player that needs to be playing on the edge, and you've given him a six-year contract on huge money. I just don’t get it.”

Cornes was also disappointed that the Power didn’t stick to their guns after requesting a big return for Houston.

He added that he thinks the decision to bring in fringe players at their previous clubs like Richards and Atkins might not even help the club’s senior side and instead boost their SANFL stocks.

“Port Adelaide spoke such a big game with Dan Houston,” Cornes added.

“They said, ‘Two first-round draft picks or he's staying’, I think Port Adelaide fans would have much rather that he stayed on three years to go on a contract than give him away for pick 13 - which probably ends up being pick 17 after the Academy and father-son bids come in - and pick 29.

“And you've got Lukosius on huge money and you’ve given up a future first, I don't get it.

“As I said a couple of times on social media, Richards and Atkins and perhaps even the coaches will help Port Adelaide maybe win the SANFL premiership next year, but it's not going to help Port Adelaide and Ken Hinkley in the AFL.”