By Jon Pierik
Nick Daicos took another bold step towards claiming what would be a stunning Brownlow Medal win with a dominant display against Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.
The star second-year Magpie had 36 disposals, including seven clearances and a clever late goal, in the Magpies’ 46-point win, to ensure his team – now with 12 wins from its past 13 matches – remained on top of the ladder heading into a potential grand final preview next Saturday against the Power at the Adelaide Oval.
Fremantle’s Jaeger O’Meara tries to bustle Nick Daicos off the ball.Credit: Getty Images
Daicos was brilliant, his footwork, dash and skills a sight to behold, with former premiership Magpie Dale Thomas noting on Triple M’s broadcast that the son of a gun has the poise of a 300-game player, rather than a youngster supposedly still finding his way.
This poise was particularly on show in the second term, when the Magpies turned their five-point quarter-time lead into a 53-point advantage, kicking 10 goals for the quarter, eight of them in succession.
Daicos had 21 touches, seven score involvements and gained 331 metres for his team to half-time, including a superb touch kick on the outside of his boot to Taylor Adams on the lead. He finished with 568 metres gained. The Dockers did not tag Daicos, although James Aish spent some time on him.
Now in the role of a mid-forward, Daicos could already have as many as 30 votes in the count for the sport’s highest individual honour, including eight possible best-on-ground games. He is already leading the AFL Coaches Association award.
He wasn’t alone in slicing the Dockers, who, for a moment, appeared up for the challenge. There was a competitive first term, and a mark and goal to Luke Jackson early in the second term to raise hopes of a tight contest.
So much for that. In the blink of an eye, the Magpies seized control.
Collingwood’s Ash Johnson flies and marks against Fremantle at the MCG.Credit: Getty Images
On a gloomy, mid-winter afternoon, Josh Daicos, Brayden Maynard, with a sore shoulder, Jordan De Goey – in his 150th game – and Adams were also pivotal. Skipper Darcy Moore was the tent pole of the defence, while the reinvented Oleg Markov provided run off half-back as the Magpies capitalised on Freo’s turnovers. Steele Sidebottom, in his first match since injuring his knee in round 11, gained valuable match fitness.
Free-agent signing Daniel McStay, having recovered from finger surgery, booted two goals in his first senior match since round five. Jamie Elliott, with four goals, Ash Johnson and Mason Cox – when he was sent forward – were threats in attack.
The Dockers, with Luke Ryan and Andrew Brayshaw working hard, were dealt a double blow in the third term when Brandon Walker suffered a suspected serious knee injury after landing awkwardly in a marking contest. He was taken from the field on a motorised stretcher, although the delay in this being enacted was questionable. This came after ruckman Sean Darcy had hobbled from the field with a right ankle injury, returning from the dressingroom on crutches.
It was that sort of day for the disappointing Dockers, who rallied late but now appear out of the finals hunt.
Pendles takes a seat
Scott Pendlebury was having a typically composed and industrious day when he was subbed off for tactical reasons in the third term. It was the first time this season the Magpies great has been removed from the action, and he was replaced by midfield extractor Tom Mitchell, who was an equally curious choice as starting sub. No doubt, that call was made to help refresh him.
Brotherly love on show
There was a lovely moment of brotherly love in the second term when the Daicos boys and Adams were involved in a series of quick handpasses in the centre square. The final moment of magic had Adams handball to Nick Daicos bursting through the edge of the square, and Daicos then found Ash Johnson in the goal square, for an easy conversion. It was Nick Daicos’ fourth score involvement of the afternoon, coming as the Magpies put their foot to the throat of the Dockers.
Elliott reaches new heights
Elliott is known for his dashing leads and ice-cold game-winning goals, but he had a highlight of a different kind in the second term when he completed a strong pack mark over three Dockers in the goal square. It continued the Magpies’ dominance.
High jumper learns from mistakes
McStay had run under the ball in an earlier attempt to mark, but quickly learnt from the mistake when he leapt high and completed a grab on the way down, late in the second term. The former Lion then converted the Magpies’ 13th goal.
COLLINGWOOD 4.1 14.2 16.4 18.5 (113)
FREMANTLE 3.2 5.3 7.4 10.7 (67)
GOALS Collingwood: Elliott 4, Johnson 3, McStay 2, Adams 2, Pendlebury, Hill, Frampton, J.Daicos, N.Daicos, Crisp, Cox. Fremantle: Treacy 3, Sturt 2, Jackson 2, O’Meara, Banfield, Amiss
BEST: Collingwood: Nick Daicos, De Goey, Josh Daicos, Elliott, Adams, Maynard, Markov. Fremantle: Brayshaw, O’Meara, Ryan
INJURIES: Collingwood: Nil. Fremantle: Walker (knee), Darcy (ankle).
SUBSTITUTES: Collingwood: Tom Mitchell (replaced Scott Pendlebury in third quarter)
Fremantle: Nathan O’Driscoll (replaced Brandon Walker in third quarter)
CROWD: 61,157 at the MCG
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