DAN Houston's modesty foiled the relevant question posed to the Port Adelaide defender on whether he is finding his best-ever form this season. He preferred to reflect on consistency.

"It (form) has been really consistent for me ...," the roaming defender said at Alberton in the lead-up to Sunday's 10-point win against Richmond at the MCG where Port Adelaide extended its winning streak to eight (equal best for the club in AFL company).

But there will be the day when the debate will turn to where Houston stands in the rankings of Port Adelaide players claimed outside the much-scrutinised annual AFL national draft. He is not a "first rounder". Nor second or third or fourth ...

Houston, 25, arrived at Alberton in the summer of 2016-2017 amid little expectation. He was overlooked by all in the AFL national draft where Port Adelaide was done after calling Todd Marshall at No.16, Sam Powell-Pepper at 18, Joe Atley at 32 and Willem Drew at 33. 

By the time all 18 AFL clubs had used up 77 national draft picks and filled another 20 spots on their lists by elevating rookies, Houston effectively became draftee No. 142 on being claimed by Port Adelaide with the 45th call in the rookie draft. He has outlasted many of the 141 players called to be big league before him.

"Called at the bottom end of the rookie draft with a one-year contract," recalls Port Adelaide defence coach Nathan Bassett of the limited opportunity presented to Houston as a teenager who did not have a passport.

"And he was probably four weeks from that (first contact) being just a one-year deal. He was thrown into defence (to cover injuries at SANFL level) and showed a little bit. Then we were a bit short on defenders at the start of 2017 and he starts round one (against Sydney at the SCG) and has developed into a super player. He is not quick. But his ability to read the game and move quickly from contest to contest (are his strength)."

Since that AFL debut in 2017, Houston has become a constant on the Port Adelaide team sheet - 17 AFL games in that first season on the national stage, 22 in 2018, 21 the year after, 17 in the shortened 2020 campaign, then 23, 21 and now all 11 of this season. A grand total of 131 of a possible 152 matches is a solid run for any player, let alone one who watched another 141 players called to the AFL before him.

"Dan is maturing into a high-quality AFL footballer," says senior coach Ken Hinkley. "We have seen his growth consistently over the past two or three years, coming from a fair way back to now emerging as one of the real high talents at half-back."

Houston came from the Oakleigh under-18 academy in Victoria with Port Adelaide's recruiting scouts labelling him a forward. He made it to the AFL as a defender by necessity. He has recently been repeatedly touted as a midfielder. More than consistency, Houston has flexibility.

"He is a very good footballer," says Bassett. "An All-Australian quality defender."

After the darkest hour of Season 2023 - the loss in Showdown LIII - Houston was recast again, taking up the defensive role left by deputy vice-captain Darcy Byrne-Jones on his move to attack.

"And Dan does it so well," adds Bassett. "He is a roaming defender who does his best stuff in 'team defence'. And when he wins the ball back, he uses it well in offence."

On Wednesday, for the fifth time since a mid-season draft was reintroduced in 2019, Port Adelaide recruiting manager Geoff Parker can seek - if he wishes - another rookie to follow Houston's footsteps. The opening on the senior list is created by the season-ending knee injury to young forward Mitch Georgiades.

"If there is someone there (among the 321 nominations) who can help, you take that opportunity," says Hinkley who last year was handed West Australian ruckman Brynn Teakle at the mid-season rookie draft. "But you have to make sure your call is one that is useful for the long-term not the short-term."

Port Adelaide's entry to the AFL in 1997 coincided with the first AFL rookie draft at which the club took from its own cradle at Alberton at No.1, Jason Dylan. The second call, at No. 16 in that inaugural rookie draft, was more successful at breaking into AFL ranks but Luke Ottens had to join Melbourne for his four games on the national stage.

The rookie draft delivered much more for Port Adelaide after that first foray in the lead-up to the 1997 AFL season:

A CAPTAIN: Tom Jonas, No. 16 in the 2011 rookie draft

A RISING STAR: Danyle Pearce, No. 15 in the 2005 rookie draft

RUCKMEN: basketball convert and premiership hero Dean Brogan at No. 26 in the 2000 national draft and Barnaby French at No. 8 in 1998

A NEW SPIRIT: Sandover Medallist Kane Mitchell with the fifth call in the 2013 rookie draft

LOCAL HERO: Sam Gray, the last link from Port Adelaide's country recruiting zone with the SANFL on the Eyre Peninsula with pick No. 29 in 2014

A "HOMECOMING" for Nathan Krakouer as he came from football's wilderness to return to Alberton on the 15th call in the 2015 rookie draft that also paved the way to a third crack at the AFL for Tom Logan. He was pick No. 34 in the 2015 rookie draft, after originally being put on the Port Adelaide rookie list with call No. 52 in 2006 (after starting at Brisbane)

A FUTURE KEY DEFENDER: Jake Pasini at No. 6 in 2020

Port Adelaide currently has on its rookie list: Teakle, Williams, Jed McEntee, the experienced Trent Dumont and SANFL recruit Nathan Barkla.

ON REVIEW: Yaartapuulti becomes Port Adelaide again ... 

Sir Doug Nicholls Round(s), the annual celebration of First Nations' culture and contribution to Australian football - and our national identity, ends after a 17th rendition with still a great challenge in and beyond the game to do more than just put our 18 AFL teams in jumpers with Indigenous themes.

Elite Australian football has passed a significant test in developing pathways for players in the game - as well noted by the presence of so many First Nations people on the field today.

Elsewhere the game has many challenges for change as does the nation.

The AFL chose Glenn James as the Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree. He remains the only known First Nations man to have been a senior umpire in VFL-AFL football.

Almost two generations have passed since First Nations superstars Graham "Polly" Farmer and Barry Cable at Geelong and North Melbourne respectively served as senior coaches at a VFL-AFL club. 

Still no First Nations person serves on the AFL tribunal - an authority forum that continues to test First Nations players on cultural grounds, thereby making it difficult for them to defend themselves when on report.

The AFL Commission still has not filled the seat it wants taken by a First Nations person.

Port Adelaide can be proud in having recently being the first AFL club to elect a First Nations person - the club's inaugural AFL captain, Gavin Wanganeen - to the board of directors. 

We are Port Adelaide today. But the challenge to live to the spirit of Yaartapuulti does not get packed away with the jumpers.