With the shocking mega-trade involving the Gold Coast Suns, there has been further conjecture regarding Dustin Martin perhaps changing his mind about retiring from the AFL. For many months, Martin has been connected to a move to the north to play for the Gold Coast and rejoin former coach Damien Hardwick, with whom he shared three premierships at the Tigers. A few weeks before the conclusion of the previous season, “Dusty” declared his retirement; nonetheless, it was rumoured that he and his management had discussed the 33-year-old’s possibility of playing on in 2025. The three-time Norm Smith Medallist seemed to put an end to the rumours when he told Channel earlier this month about his future during Richmond’s best and fairest night.
However, a significant nuance in the massive trade agreement struck on Tuesday between Gold Coast, Collingwood, and Port Adelaide has rekindled rumours that the Suns are still trying to persuade Martin to reconsider. In exchange for Collingwood defender John Noble and two players (Jack Lukosius and Rory Atkins), the Suns only got one player in the form of 2025 first-round choices from Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
Lukosius, Atkins, Joe Richards, and the Power’s picks 13, 29, 36, and 50 were acquired by the Power in exchange for Dan Houston, picks 39 and 58, and a 2025 first-round pick. Collingwood acquired Port star Dan Houston and selection 58 in exchange for Joe Richards, Noble, a 2025 first-round pick, and pick 36. Power legend Kane Cornes called the move “disastrous.” The Suns have one space available on their playing roster for 2025 as a result of the curious mega-trade, which led prominent AFL reporter Tom Morris to hypothesise on SEN Breakfast on Wednesday that the Gold Coast was holding it open for Martin. Additionally, the Suns release Rory Atkins off their roster, earning them a spot on the list , which has made it easier for cynics or conspiracy theorists to claim that Dusty will occupy that space—a space they didn’t anticipate having just a few weeks ago. Morris stated.
Thus, there are several distinct components present. The Suns did a good job, in my opinion, to secure picks in the upcoming draft. Additionally, they have to be busy because they are attempting to reorganise their list. In the AFL, it is generally acknowledged that Port Adelaide lost the most money in the megadeal; nevertheless, Cornes maintains that his previous team did not receive enough compensation for Houston’s departure.
Retaliating against criticism of the Dan Houston deal, Port Adelaide You have effectively exchanged picks 13 and 29 for a dual All-Australian who was under contract for three years at good money—money that is advantageous to Port Adelaide. You’ve effectively done that, Cornes remarked. “I understand there are some steak knives included, but I just can’t seem to figure out Rory Atkins.” Although you’ve freed Gold Coast from his contract, you receive no reward for your efforts.
Chris Davies, general manager of football at Port Adelaide, justified the club’s decision, emphasising that the Power had the “best deal” available. Davies stated on AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday morning, “What we got through the trade period was an understanding that the deal done yesterday was probably going to be the best deal we possibly could do through the trade period for Dan.”
Importantly for us, we are also adding two players from other teams who we believe will improve a certain region of the pitch. In response to Cornes’ criticism, the Port football manager did not waste any time in stating that the team was satisfied with the trio of players they had acquired in the Houston transaction.
In addition to whatever plays we ultimately decide at Pick 13 and the other selections inside 30, the balance there is whether you think (we’ve worse off) with Dan going out and Lukosius and Richards coming in, Davies continued. Because we have been placing ourselves high enough on the ladder, the notion that we have access to excellent picks hasn’t held true for the past seven or eight years.
“We’re in this cycle where we’re striving really hard to be as excellent as we possibly can and also need to retool our squad on the go, so I think our list manager Jason Cripps has a really challenging job. We know Dan is a fantastic player, and I will personally miss him, but we believe our back end has the depth to cover it, and we still need assistance up forward. At minimum, this agreement has improved our situation there.