“Flawless” Collingwood recruit tipped to shock many after best-afield debut

Collingwood fans are going to love watching Dan Houston in 2025, according to Kane Cornes.

The two-time All-Australian half-back enjoyed a brilliant club debut against his former side Port Adelaide on Saturday night, helping himself to 27 disposals, 10 intercept possessions and five inside 50s.

After claiming nine Coaches votes in a best-afield effort, SEN Breakfast’s David King and Kane Cornes discussed just how the 27-year-old could shock many who didn’t watch Houston closely at the Power in recent campaigns.

King: “Just to see Dan Houston, and I know from a Port point of view (his loss will hurt), but let's do it from a Collingwood point of view. What an impact.”

Cornes: “What a game.”

King: “Immediately they have weapons across half-back everywhere.”

Cornes: “I said this during the trade period, like this guy, you don't understand how good he is.

“You know if you've watched him really closely, he's a dual All-Australian, so it's not breaking news. But I think he has snuck up on a few.

“His game is flawless, there's not a weakness in it, and Collingwood fans are going to love him."

Cornes also called out Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps for letting Houston get to the Magpies while under contract.

“They thought it was a good idea to trade away one of your best players who was contracted and give away a future first-round pick in the mix of all these trades for not much,” Cornes said.

“So if you’re going to do that and you perform like that and you end up being a bottom six side and you’ve given away your first pick and the bloke that you let go, who was contracted to your club, plays a starring role for a club that beats you by 91 points - I think he (Cripps) is worthy of being thrown into the mix (of criticism).”

Houston will hope to keep his good form going when Collingwood face the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Friday night.