Yartapuulti defender Dan Houston has had a flying start to the year, contributing significantly to his side’s 8-2 win-loss record.

Now in his seventh season at Alberton, Houston’s individual performance in Friday night’s win over Narrm was one of his best, with the 26-year-old collecting 33 touches and a goal.

On Wednesday, Houston spoke about the positive club environment at Alberton, the approach of senior coach Ken Hinkley, and Zak Butters’ career-best form.

Houston on seven wins in a row
“I'm enjoying it definitely, it's good to have a winning environment at the club and obviously the last seven weeks have been really enjoyable being able to come in each week as a winner.

“I think we’ve just gone back to what works for us, be it pressure and forward half footy and we've really stuck to that and made it a big part of our game. If we can bring that every week, we know we're going to put ourselves in a good position to win each game.”

Houston on selection pressure
“We've had some players come in be able to stand up in big moments and play some solid footy but it always is good to have pressure on spots. Going forward, it’s always going to better the team and make individuals better themselves, so it's a really good environment at the moment.

“We had a lot of our main forward line out (for last Friday’s game) but to have those other players come in and play roles – Ollie Lord, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Jed McEntee – it was just huge for us and shows it's not all personnel based. It gives us confidence going forward that we can bring players in, and they can produce in the big moments as well.”

Houston on his own form
“I've felt like my form has stepped up those last seven weeks as well, which has been a positive sign for me…being able to get up and around the footy has worked for me and I feel that's where I'm able to play my best footy is up as a high back around the stoppages. It's been really consistent for me and I'm really happy with that.”

Houston on Ken Hinkley’s coaching style
“He's a connection-based coach and having him on the boundary connecting with us and understanding what we're going through and being able to give us feedback has really helped us. As players sometimes you're not quite sure how things are going but having him (on the bench), it’s been really nice for us.

“I think if you asked Kenny, or a lot of the players, his number one strength in coaching is connection to players. He's like a father figure for us, so having that on the bench has helped us. (Over the years) he's changed the way he's coached and how he coaches individuals because obviously everyone's different. He understands how people learn as well.”

Houston on winning tight games
“We've tried to embrace the opportunity a bit more and if we just stick to what we know and what works for us, whether we win or lose, if we do that, it will put us in good stead at the end of the game. That’s what we're doing at the moment, and (there is every possibility we could) have lost one but that's just how footy is and we keep finding a way to win…we are putting heaps of pressure on.”

Houston on Zak Butters
“Every year in pre-season, Zak has always come back and been the number one player for us in the pre-season in match play…I think we're starting to see that now in games. It’s just transferring what he does at training into games and (building) that confidence. I think even on the weekend he felt like a class above in the wet, with his ability to use the ball well and he wins it on the inside but then he gets it on the outside. His hands and kicking are so clean. You definitely do notice (when) he’s had it a few times. You always see his hands on the footy and notice him buzzing around the contest.”