A mid-week heart-to-heart with his dad, mixed emotions about his fourth-quarter goal celebrations and a cheeky clip for his coach – Nick Daicos was in excellent form after Collingwood’s Anzac Day triumph.
But, still, not as good a form as what the Magpies star showed during his gobsmacking, virtuoso performance against Essendon that saw him claim the Anzac Day medal and leave his coach, teammates and AFL pundits in awe.
Daicos on Tuesday produced arguably his finest game yet in an already brilliant AFL career, booting 2.1 from 40 disposals (at 86 per cent kicking efficiency), nine score involvements, six inside 50s and 604m gained in Collingwood’s 13-point win. It was the third time this season Daicos had finished a game with at least 30 disposals and two goals – no other player has done it more than once this year.
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Most importantly, Daicos came up big in the fourth quarter, booting both of his goals in the term to go with seven disposals and four contested possessions.
The 20-year-old – yes, this guy is still only 20 – pounced on a loose ball close to goal and snapped through his side’s third consecutive major before putting the Pies in front minutes later with a classy running checkside goal, which prompted a ‘shh’ celebration to the crowd.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s hard to explain, I guess,” Daicos told reporters post-game.
Daicos having best start to career ever? | 01:14
“When I kicked the second one, I was in a weird situation where I really wanted to get up and about and celebrate it, but I also knew the task we had at hand. It was pretty similar to when Steele (Sidebottom) kicked that great goal late. We were so excited for him, but then it was ‘alright, snap back, we’ve got to reset here’.
“It’s an amazing feeling, but pretty quickly you’ve got to focus on the job at hand.”
Daicos was awarded the Anzac Day medal after receiving three votes from all four members of the judging panel, with teammate Steele Sidebottom finishing second with six votes.
After claiming the Rising Star award last year, Daicos has now surged into Brownlow Medal favouritism after six rounds. The last 20-year-old to win the AFL’s highest individual honour was Chris Judd in 2004.
“I guess I have surprised myself in that last year my aim was just to play one single game. I debuted early and I was able to stay in the side, which was awesome,” he said.
“This year, I’m gaining a lot more confidence getting around the ball and playing a bit more midfield. I think we’ve had so many players just go to another level this year again, so hopefully we’re in great stead come later in the year. It’s exciting seeing blokes flourish around me too.”
Daicos revealed a well-timed conversation with his father Peter – a Collingwood legend and premiership player that played 250 games – helped put his mind at ease ahead of the grand occasion.
“During the week, Dad actually grabbed me for a chat, which was really nice,” Daicos said.
“He said: ‘As long as you’re pleasing yourself and the club, they’re the only two things you need to focus on.’ That meant a lot to me and I’m very grateful for him for that.
“I always talk to Dad about my footy and he talks to me and gives his opinion. I’m standing in front of you today with this award because of him. He has taught me so much.
‘One of the best speeches I’ve heard’ | 03:31
“He frequently checks in on me – and during the week was one of those occasions. Sometimes he can notice I might be a bit moody, so Dad knows me better than anyone and will check on me, which I appreciate more than I can put into words.”
Daicos joined Craig McRae in the press conference room post-game – and was happy to cheekily tell the Magpies coach off midway through an answer.
McRae was lauding the club’s high performance manager Jarrod Wade for the team’s ability to run out games strongly before Daicos hilariously interrupted his coach.
“You can’t give him too much of a shout-out. If he gets poached we’re in trouble,” Daicos said with a laugh.
McRae laughed and replied: “It’s a good point.”
Asked for his assessment of Daicos’ 40-disposal game, McRae put his arm around Daicos and said with a smile: “I’ve always been a Nick fan.
“He’s been enormous for us. He works so hard and behind the scenes, he just gets back to work. He’s the first in to watch tapes with his coaches, he’s the first to get on the sprung floor and do hands, he’s doing extras on his game – he’s always looking to be better.
“He’s getting rewarded now and I’m sure it’s not going to be the only time.”
Magpies utility Billy Frampton said Daicos was an outstanding teammate.
Asked post-game what it’s like playing with Daicos, Frampton told reporters in the Magpies’ rooms: “It’s pretty incredible, mate. He’s an absolute marvel. He just has no flaws.
Caldwell in trouble for Daicos punch? | 00:24
“I think everyone forgets that he’s 20. We talk about him being the best player in the comp – and he’s right up there – but he’s 20. He’s still a kid. Like what he could be in a few years, it’s staggering to think about.
“I love playing with him, his workrate, he gives us everything. He’s a very good teammate.”
Eight-time All-Australian Nathan Buckley, who departed Collingwood as senior coach halfway through 2021, said he “would’ve loved to coach him (Daicos)”.
“He makes the game look simple – and that’s what all the guns do,” Buckley told Fox Footy’s On The Couch.
“He makes the simple decisions and does the ordinary extraordinarily well.
“That little banana that he did, the way he was able to place that ball … it was executed perfectly.”
Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna said the AFL world was “watching something pretty special” in Daicos.
“You can’t help but smile and marvel at what he’s doing at his age,” Montagna told Fox Footy post-game.
“You could see when they were coming up the race pre-game, he was smiling, he was joking. He was just a kid who has always loved his footy and watched his dad and watched his brother. Now he gets to go out and play and do what he’s doing. It’s freakish.
“The impact he had in the third quarter and then the fourth quarter when they needed it to be won was off the charts.”
Daicos said it was an “amazing” honour to play on Anzac Day.
Langford hands angry Pies fan a big L | 00:36
“We’ve had people speak around the club during the week about what it means to so many people and the effect it’s had on so many people. So we’re super grateful to go out there and represent those people,” he said.
“I know we say that war can never be likened to football – and I do agree. So we just try and give our all in that aspect.
“It’s just a massive crowd and Fly’s been big all year on soaking it in, really enjoying the moment because we’ve worked really hard for it.”
FULL 2023 ANZAC DAY MEDAL VOTING
Brian Taylor (Channel 7)
3. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
2. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
1. Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
Kate McCarthy (Triple M)
3. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
2. Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
1. Mason Redman (Essendon)
Jay Clark (Herald Sun)
3. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
2. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
1. Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
Anna Harrington (AAP)
3. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
2. Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
1. Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
Final tally
12 – Nick Daicos
6 – Steele Sidebottom
4 – Jordan De Goey
1 – Darcy Moore, Mason Redman
