In a game that will be remembered for years to come, Collingwood’s rising superstar Nick Daicos once again demonstrated his extraordinary talent, helping to secure a nail-biting one-point victory over Brisbane and keeping the club’s finals hopes alive.
The match began slowly for both teams, with neither the Pies nor Daicos making a significant impact in the opening term. However, Daicos, a favorite for the Brownlow Medal, quickly turned the tide in the second quarter. He shouldered the responsibility of dragging his team back into the contest, kicking two crucial goals from 13 disposals, which ignited Collingwood’s momentum.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae was left in awe of Daicos’ performance, admitting during the post-match press conference that he was simply a spectator to Daicos’ brilliance.
“Wow, I think I’ll tell my grandkids that I coached Nick Daicos,” McRae said, clearly still amazed by what he had witnessed. “That’s going to be one of the great stories when I’m older. What a player.”
McRae continued to express his admiration, saying, “It’s just nice to see someone impose himself on the game. We’re all on the bench, not laughing, but just going, ‘Wow!’ We’re all in awe. We’ve got front-row seats to the Nick Show, and he’s a remarkable player.”
The thrilling encounter saw Daicos play a pivotal role, but he wasn’t alone in leading the Pies to victory. The second half of the match featured a heroic performance by recruit Lachie Schultz, who kicked two of the final three goals, helping Collingwood snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Ruckman Darcy Cameron also continued his outstanding form, holding his own against the towering Oscar McInerney with an impressive 15 disposals and 30 hit-outs. Meanwhile, veteran Steele Sidebottom, who is reportedly set to remain at the club for the 2025 season, played a crucial role by keeping two-time Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale quiet, limiting his influence on the game. John Noble was another key player, with his instrumental contributions further solidifying the Pies’ hard-fought win.
Looking ahead, Collingwood’s finals fate now hangs in the balance, dependent on the outcomes of Sunday’s matches involving Carlton, Hawthorn, and Western Bulldogs. The Pies will be hoping for a trifecta of losses from these teams to bolster their chances of making it to the finals.
Collingwood is set to round out their home and away season with a highly anticipated match against Melbourne on Friday night at the MCG. With the finals within reach, the Pies will be looking to carry the momentum from this thrilling victory into their next challenge.
