Young Nick Daicos has simply picked up where he left off in his brilliant debut season, by cruising home to claim Collingwood’s 2km time trial on Monday.
The Rising Star, who stunned the footy world with his incredible efforts in 2022, gave Magpies fans more to celebrate by returning to the club in peak condition for day one of pre-season.
Daicos took out the 2km time trial in 6min 32 seconds ahead of fellow rookie Finlay Macrae and Josh Carmichael.
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In a video posted online, the father-son recruit could only swear as he crossed the finish line first after a brilliant performance on the track.
Magpies head recruiter Derek Hine was full of praise for the condition Daicos had returned to the club.
“It looks like he’s put on a little bit of size,” Hine said on AFL Draft Radio on Monday.
“I would have thought he’d get some midfield exposure (in 2023).
“I feel like that exposure would only increase (in the new season).”
Daicos was one of a squad of more than 20 to take part in the session, including new recruits Dan McStay, Bobby Hill, Billy Frampton and 29-year-old Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell.
Mitchell finished his time trial inside the top five as he puts his best foot forward at his third AFL club.
“It was pretty solid – a little bit different to the way we do it up north,” McStay told club media after training.
“The boys cracked in, it was a bloody solid session.”
Elsewhere, West Coast welcomed back star defender Jeremy McGovern for his start to pre-season training, joining backman Tom Barrass back at the club on Monday.
McGovern managed just 10 games last season due to injury, including broken ribs, but was also forced to endure controversy over his playing weight in 2022.
Commentator Kane Cornes was critical of McGovern and fellow star Elliot Yeo’s playing weight during the horror year for the Eagles.
But the top-paid Eagle looked right at home on the training track on Monday in his first day back, running laps at Mineral Resources Park.
Across town at Fremantle players including high-profile recruit Luke Jackson were put through 1km time trials on their first day of pre-season.
Of the four races, Neil Eramus claimed two victories while Caleb Serong and Heath Chapman took honours in the final two runs.
At the Gold Coast, new recruit Ben Long turned out for his first session since departing St Kilda, while former Richmond captain Trent Cotchin was an interested onlooker at his side’s week two training – with veterans not due back for another fortnight.
