Player Watch Dan Houston

[BillyElliott]

He has really not lived up to early season form and expectations for me. Is he carrying an injury, or we tactically keeping him in reserve for finals. He’s just not creating run or getting into position further to use his skills.

He’s either injured or we are prioritising the Daicos boys in those key areas.

If it’s the latter you have to question why, we paid a hefty price to get him over. Play him in a way that we can exploit his kicking and run.

 

[Finnishpie]

He passed up the chance of a multi year deal at the greatest club on Earth to play and live in a shithole.

I’d move to Adelaide for that money and a guarantee of playing AFL, to be fair.

 

[Finnishpie]

The AFL has confounded the world of mathematics by discovering that 15 metres is a variable distance.

Quantum metres.

 

[Rorzza]

Dan has fit in to like a glove, I think it's been hilarious the pot shots regarding the number 1 backline in the competition this year, even with a misfiring midfield the backmen have been rock solid! There is still improvement to be had but rock solid.

 

[granniewolf]

He has really not lived up to early season form and expectations for me. Is he carrying an injury, or we tactically keeping him in reserve for finals. He’s just not creating run or getting into position further to use his skills.

He’s either injured or we are prioritising the Daicos boys in those key areas.

If it’s the latter you have to question why, we paid a hefty price to get him over. Play him in a way that we can exploit his kicking and run.

I think Dan played well, he laid some awesome tackles and kicked a massive goal. He also did a lot of things that don't get covered by stats.
Was great to see him smiling and happy.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Reckon the truth lies somewhere in the middle with Houston

You don't have to be a genius to read between the lines on what the coaches have been saying about Houston. He's obviously not quite where we were hoping he'd be. Having said that, he's also still clearly finding his feet in a very rigid system where he's not relied on as "the man" which he could also be struggling with.

The other sign that this isn't quite a Schultz situation is that you haven't seen the club go out of their way to do a damage control video showing everyone "See! Schultz hasn't been crap at all, he's really good look!" lol

I suspect that once we finally have our full complement in the backline for finals, you might see Dan go up a notch or two as we start to use him more in the way he is expecting as Josh and Perryman will probably be used further up the field

 

[sr36]

I suspect that once we finally have our full complement in the backline for finals, you might see Dan go up a notch or two as we start to use him more in the way he is expecting as Josh and Perryman will probably be used further up the field

This is an interesting one for me - this might be the first week since about round 2 that we have all 8 of our senior defenders available for selection - and we only ever play 7 players as our defenders.

Perryman, Josh or Houston to midfield or wing seem the obvious choices - but midfield also has a logjam at the moment. But it's also getting late in the season and you'd think that if we wanted to play one of them in the midfield or wing in finals, we'd start doing it ASAP so that they're on top of the role..

 

[Kes1984]

Dan Houston

9

Dan Houston

Age

28

Ht

186cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

11.8

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

3.0

5star

MG

289.2

4star

D

17.6

4star

K

11.6

4star

HB

6.0

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.4

4star

MG

319.9

5star

D

16.6

4star

K

12.4

5star

HB

4.2

4star

M

7.0

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

279.8

5star

is 2025's Lauchie Schultz.

Many of us can see his worth and what he's bringing to this side, but many only focus on the apparent drop off from how they performed at their previous club.

We use them in different ways. Both have been absolutely fine in their first years. Schultz has gone up a level this season when we've been fortunate to have him in the side - so I think it does take time for them to adapt to our system and game plan, but nothing wrong with what Schultz was doing last year - which Fly would praise, or what Houston is bringing this year! I believe Josh Daicos

7

Josh Daicos

Age

27

Ht

178cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.6

4star

K

8.3

3star

HB

7.3

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.6

5star

MG

230.5

4star

D

16.2

4star

K

9.2

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.5

4star

MG

230.5

4star

D

13.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

4.2

5star

has elevated his game since Houston has come.

 

[Pie thon]

Every player will have their up and down year. When Houston finds form, our game style might be a little bit different and he excels while another defender struggles. We will be all the more stable for having him.
We have to judge based on having him for the next 5 years or so. Like Schulz the chemistry change into year 2 unlocked his great form.
Elliot has gotten to play with 2 key forwards and a 3rd tall consistently for the first time in his career and that unlocked career best form.
Unperceived change with Houston might be that the opposition have to plan to repel him kicking and it takes away from their offence into D50, something that i doubt the opposition were doing vs Nobel, so that flow on affect would be making one of our other players more damaging this year. Probably Jaicos. Then next year if Jaicos gets another AA blazer. The opposition turn their attention to him, then Houstons best form might return.
We are better for having him. It must be exhausting for the opposition. Tag Nick Daicos, close space around Houston, keep someone tall near Cameron when he drops back, how do we shut down Elliot. If you play chess you mostly win by the opponent making a mistake through mental exhaustion. That's how Houston fits in our strategic puzzle.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

This is an interesting one for me - this might be the first week since about round 2 that we have all 8 of our senior defenders available for selection - and we only ever play 7 players as our defenders.

Perryman, Josh or Houston to midfield or wing seem the obvious choices - but midfield also has a logjam at the moment. But it's also getting late in the season and you'd think that if we wanted to play one of them in the midfield or wing in finals, we'd start doing it ASAP so that they're on top of the role..

Yeah was thinking about it the other day.

If Frampton and Howe are back this week, it might be the first (or second) time this year that we have had everyone playing in the backline

Round 0 - No Frampton or Houston
Round 1 - No Frampton
Round 2 - No Frampton
Round 4 - All played
Round 5 - No Houston
Round 6 - No Houston
Round 7 - No Moore
Round 8 - No Howe
Round 9 - No Maynard
Round 10 - No Moore
Round 11 - No Moore
Round 12 - No Maynard
Round 13 - No Maynard
Round 15 - No Maynard
Round 16 - No Frampton or Maynard
Round 17 - No Frampton
Round 18 - No Frampton
Round 19 - No Framoton, Howe or Houston
Round 20 - No Frampton or Howe

So yeah, only once this year have we played with all our starting defenders which is bonkers to think about.

Also aware that for those first few weeks we were being very silly duffers and just not selecting Frampton. So dumb lol

 

[Pistol Night]

Yeah was thinking about it the other day.

If Frampton and Howe are back this week, it might be the first (or second) time this year that we have had everyone playing in the backline

Round 0 - No Frampton or Houston
Round 1 - No Frampton
Round 2 - No Frampton
Round 4 - All played
Round 5 - No Houston
Round 6 - No Houston
Round 7 - No Moore
Round 8 - No Howe
Round 9 - No Maynard
Round 10 - No Moore
Round 11 - No Moore
Round 12 - No Maynard
Round 13 - No Maynard
Round 15 - No Maynard
Round 16 - No Frampton or Maynard
Round 17 - No Frampton
Round 18 - No Frampton
Round 19 - No Framoton, Howe or Houston
Round 20 - No Frampton or Howe

So yeah, only once this year have we played with all our starting defenders which is bonkers to think about.

Also aware that for those first few weeks we were being very silly duffers and just not selecting Frampton. So dumb lol

Crazy stat considering we’re the number 1 defensive side. Wait until we have the band fully together

 

[Kes1984]

Yeah was thinking about it the other day.

If Frampton and Howe are back this week, it might be the first (or second) time this year that we have had everyone playing in the backline

Round 0 - No Frampton or Houston
Round 1 - No Frampton
Round 2 - No Frampton
Round 4 - All played
Round 5 - No Houston
Round 6 - No Houston
Round 7 - No Moore
Round 8 - No Howe
Round 9 - No Maynard
Round 10 - No Moore
Round 11 - No Moore
Round 12 - No Maynard
Round 13 - No Maynard
Round 15 - No Maynard
Round 16 - No Frampton or Maynard
Round 17 - No Frampton
Round 18 - No Frampton
Round 19 - No Framoton, Howe or Houston
Round 20 - No Frampton or Howe

So yeah, only once this year have we played with all our starting defenders which is bonkers to think about.

Also aware that for those first few weeks we were being very silly duffers and just not selecting Frampton. So dumb lol

and still, we're the best defence in the comp! Pretty impressive!

 

[yeah man]

Also aware that for those first few weeks we were being very silly duffers and just not selecting Frampton. So dumb lol

Just noting that the clubs first choice defender was actually Reef McInnes, I believe he was injured in round 1, so it was only round 2 where they didnt select Frampton in that position

 

[Kes1984]

Just noting that the clubs first choice defender was actually Reff McInnes, I believe he was injured in round 1, so it was only round 2 where they didnt select Frampton in that position

Which personally, I don't think was the right call by the club. But we'll never know. We'll see how Reef goes next season, but other than training there preseason, he is new to defending.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Just noting that the clubs first choice defender was actually Reff McInnes, I believe he was injured in round 1, so it was only round 2 where they didnt select Frampton in that position

Round 0 and 1

I'm aware Reef was first choice. Which I maintain was a mistake

Frampton had only ever been rock solid at minimum down back and was only 27/28. Reef should have been plying his trade via the VFL

 

[jimmy35]

He’ll be fine, quality player. Takes time to settle into a new environment and game plan.
Still probably trying to get the Kenny ringing out of his ears.

 

[yeah man]

I'm actually of the opinion that Reef showed some signs. I personally trust the clubs judgment in regard to how they percieved his pre-season performance. I don't think we have even close to enough of a sample size to determine if it was a mistake to play Reef down back for a total two games. We may be getting ahead of ourselves with that opinion.

Anyway, I back Dan Houston

9

Dan Houston

Age

28

Ht

186cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

11.8

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

4.9

5star

T

3.0

5star

MG

289.2

4star

D

17.6

4star

K

11.6

4star

HB

6.0

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.4

4star

MG

319.9

5star

D

16.6

4star

K

12.4

5star

HB

4.2

4star

M

7.0

5star

T

2.6

4star

MG

279.8

5star

. Similar to Schultz, the coach has backed his performances by highlighting his contributions. He'll come good. He hasn't received a "look how good he is!" video yet because he hasn't copped even close to the amount of hate that Schultz got. It was intense for Lachie

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

I'm actually of the opinion that Reef showed some signs. I personally trust the clubs judgment in regard to how they percieved his pre-season performance. I don't think we have even close to enough of a sample size to determine if it was a mistake to play Reef down back for a total two games. We may be getting ahead of ourselves with that opinion.

Anyway, I back Dan Houston. Similar to Schultz, the coach has backed his performances by highlighting his contributions. He'll come good. He hasn't received a "look how good he is!" video yet because he hasn't copped even close to the amount of hate that Schultz got. It was intense for Lachie

I'm not sure it's about Reef not showing anything

For me it was more about Frampton not giving a reason not to play him as a key back.

The only time Frampton hasn't been good for us is when he's been played as a forward or back up ruck.

As a key defender the worst he's ever been for us is serviceable. Which you'd take every day of the week.

 

[granniewolf]

Just noting that the clubs first choice defender was actually Reef McInnes, I believe he was injured in round 1, so it was only round 2 where they didnt select Frampton in that position

Reef was injured in Round 2 in the first quarter.

 

[Pistol Night]

I'm not sure it's about Reef not showing anything

For me it was more about Frampton not giving a reason not to play him as a key back.

The only time Frampton hasn't been good for us is when he's been played as a forward or back up ruck.

As a key defender the worst he's ever been for us is serviceable. Which you'd take every day of the week.

Kept Thilthorpe goalless. He’s getting better all the time back there

 

[yeah man]

Reef was injured in Round 2 in the first quarter.

You're right, against the bulldogs. My mistake

The only time Frampton hasn't been good for us is when he's been played as a forward or back up ruck.

Agreed to an extent, this season has absolutely been his breakout season. Previously however he definitely had his fair share of howlers, they're hard to forget. Not totally disagreeing with you, just saying I think i see where the club were heading at the start of the season

I'm ****ing excited to see Houston really settle in. Straight into the side after a trade and now playing finals. Imagine he gets a premiership. I'm not worried about him just yet.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Kept Thilthorpe goalless. He’s getting better all the time back there

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the most he's ever copped in 2025 is 2 goals. Maybe even 1

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

Reef was injured in Round 2 in the first quarter.

You're right, against the bulldogs. My mistake

Agreed to an extent, this season has absolutely been his breakout season. Previously however he definitely had his fair share of howlers, they're hard to forget. Not totally disagreeing with you, just saying I think i see where the club were heading at the start of the season

I'm ****ing excited to see Houston really settle in. Straight into the side after a trade and now playing finals. Imagine he gets a premiership. I'm not worried about him just yet.

Nope

He was injured in Round 1 (Stupid Round 0) against Port in the first few minutes of the game

 

[Jelly Bean]

Nope

He was injured in Round 1 (Stupid Round 0) against Port in the first few minutes of the game

Reef did his knee against the Bulldogs in round 2. First quarter. I was there and saw it happen.

 

[Jelly Bean]

It's a fact that Houston has been a long way off being as good as he was with Port, and below what we want from him. I don't know why there is such angst in saying this. It's okay for us to admit that we need more from him if we are to win the flag.

Do I believe he can do it - for sure. Do I think he will - I'm not sure, but very hopeful.

But for anyone to spin a story that he is doing just what we want him to do is fanciful. He had 4 touches to half time on the weekend, and two were from kick outs. That is not a stat line we want from Houston - end of story.