Dan Houston Reflects on Nerves Before First Port Clash and Magpie Roots

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Dan Houston won’t have to wait long to face his old mob. In fact, it’ll be his first game in the black and white stripes.

The only place to watch Dan Houston face Port Adelaide in Round 1 LIVE is on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer

The star Magpies recruit admitted to some initial feelings of angst when he first saw the 2025 AFL fixture.

“Once the trade was done I thought things would quiet down. Then when I saw my first game after the suspension was against Port, I was like: ‘You’re kidding’,” Houston told foxfooty.com.au with a smile.

“My nerves aren’t too bad at all at the moment, it’s fine because we’re only training.”

He added: “There might be a few nerves before the game but not too sure yet.”

It follows Houston’s high-profile move to Collingwood during last year’s trade period as the 27-year old sought a return to Victoria.

After signalling his desire to get back to his home state, parts of the 2024 season were stressful for the 27-year old.

“It felt like a long period of time, there was a lot to process and a lot that had to play out. I also had to play footy at the same time. Weeks felt like forever at times,” Houston said.

“It was a huge relief when it got done.

“Now I’m just looking forward to blending back in and playing footy and letting my footy do the talking.”

The dual All-Australian half back bolsters Craig McRae’s side alongside fellow recruits Harry Perryman and Tim Membrey to put big expectations on Collingwood’s ageing list the club has gone all in on.

The Pies will be looking to bounce back from last year’s finals miss as reigning premiers — a season heavily disrupted by injury but also marred by general inconsistency compared to McRae’s first two campaigns in charge.

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 18th November 2024. AFL. Collingwood footy training at Olympic Park. Dan Houston and Isaac Quaynor of the Magpies during todays session . Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

Now that Houston has settled back into Victoria, he thinks he has a better work-life balance despite being grateful for his eight seasons at the Power.

“Absolutely (it’s good to be back in Victoria), I don’t regret the decision at all,” he said.

“Coming back and being closer to friends and family and the state I grew up in, it keeps me busy outside footy. I probably missed that a little bit in Adelaide.

“So I’m really enjoying that and having a good balance between footy and what I did outside of footy.”

As for early life as a Magpie, Houston has in many ways felt like a first-year player again as he adapts to his second club.

“It’s been really good, it’s been a long pre-season because I’ve had to learn how all the boys and team works, everyone’s names and all the basic stuff,” he said.

“The training has been really solid and also getting used to that and the game plan. But I’ve really enjoyed it so far and feel like I’m in really good nick, so looking forward to the practice games.”

Having trained primarily across half back over the pre-season, Houston expects that’s where he’ll line up in 2025 despite having the flexibility to play multiple positions including wing and midfield.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 26: Dan Houston of the Magpies kicks during a Collingwood Magpies Training Session at Olympic Park Oval on November 26, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

The addition of Houston’s lethal boot across half back is an exciting prospect for Magpies fans after the club has struggled to replace Nick Daicos’ brilliant playmaking in the quarterback role following the superstar’s midfield move.

“I’ve been training predominately half back, the high half-back role I’ve played for a number of years now. ‘Fly’ (McRae) loves me at half back and I love playing at half back — that’s where I see my best footy,” Houston said.

“Whether I play a bit of mid, I’m not sure, but a lot of my footy will be at half back.”

Houston added that McRae has been “strong” in the standards he wants the playing group to uphold and how he wants the team to play,

The Magpies coach has also been “really good” in embracing the 168-gamer and helping him fit in.

“He celebrates my strengths and what I’m good at. He’s a very strength-based coach,” he added.

“He’s also been really good for my family, getting around them and making them feel welcome.”

Houston wouldn’t put a limit on what the Pies could achieve this year, but was optimistic they had the group to achieve great things.

“I think we’ve got a really strong team. It’s a long season, so it’s hard to put goals in place,” he said.

“We’re such a process driven club. If we can stick to our processes and have guys fit for the majority of the season, we know we’ll be a good team.

“We’re not going to put a limit on ourselves.”