Pies great McGuane thrilled with Houston trade as son Tom looms as 2025 father-son prospect

Collingwood great Mick McGuane loved the club’s move to bring dual All-Australian Dan Houston in via trade.

The Magpies made the move official in a three-way trade with Port Adelaide and Gold Coast on Thursday, giving up John Noble, Joe Richards, a future first-round pick and Pick 6 in exchange for the defender and Pick 58.

McGuane thinks that the move will help the Pies win in 2025 and he thinks that the way the 27-year-old plays suits the Magpies to a tee.

“I think it's a super positive move,” McGuane told SEN Mornings.

“The deal getting finally done when it looked like at times it wasn't going to is a credit to the organisation.

“To get a player of Dan Houston’s ilk into the footy club in his age bracket (is huge), All-Australians don’t fall out of trees.

“He's one guy that we will certainly help in the back half. I think he should play there. We've been told that he could go on a wing or in a midfield role, but I don’t see it that way, I think good kickers out of your back half separate games and Houston's that, especially with his decisions.

“He suits Collingwood’s philosophy, particularly with ball movement, and I think it's just going to be a winning situation for the team.”

While some have criticised the Pies for prioritising proven talent over young draftees, McGuane thinks that adding Houston and free agent Harry Perryman makes them a top-four side in 2025 as they chase two flags in three seasons.

“Let's face it, Collingwood is an ageing list,” McGuane said.

“But right now, when they play their best footy if they get clean health, which they didn't have this year, they're clearly a top-four team in my eyes and adding Perryman and Houston into the group makes them better again.

“I've got no doubt he (Houston) is a better player than Noble - and that's no disrespect to John, but I just think Collingwood has had a fantastic trade period.”

One reason why the Pies might have been so willing to offload their future first-round pick in the Houston deal is that Mick’s son Thomas, could join the club in the 2025 Draft as a father-son selection.

While it’s early, Thomas is considered by many a potentially early pick in next year’s draft and if the Western Jets product turns into the first-round option that some expect, there’s every chance that selection would have been absorbed in matching a bid on the youngster.

Knowing what it takes at the top level, McGuane is trying to help Thomas achieve his dreams by working hard and staying humble as he continues working through underage footy.

“Humility is a big thing in my household,” McGuane said.

“It’s, ‘Just be humble with what you do, you can't control the narrative with what they’re saying about you. Respect people. Look them in the eye. Always smile. Whatever the accolades come your way, that’s out of your control’.

“When the talk comes about AFL footy, I immediately refer to the hard work, it challenges you physically and challenges you mentally. Without hard work – no matter how talented you are – you won’t get a go.

“He lived this dream for 17 years, he just turned 17, and ever since he was a kid he’s had a footy in his hand.

“As I always say to him, ‘Dreams are worth nothing if you leave them on the pillow, so get to work and work in a desire that you want to be a better player than you were yesterday’.

“One thing I do know, and I did say publicly with hard work is don’t shy away from it.”

Listen to the full chat below.