Daicos Brothers Firmly Planted at Collingwood Amidst Tasmania Speculation
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has moved swiftly to quell any fan anxieties regarding the future of superstar midfielder Nick Daicos, emphatically stating the young gun is “locked in” long-term at the Magpies. The comments come as speculation mounts, fuelled by the new AFL entrant Tasmania reportedly keeping a close eye on the talented Daicos brothers.
The whispers intensified following a recent visit by Nick and his brother, Josh, to Tasmania during Collingwood’s bye week. The pair, accompanied by their father Peter, were photographed with Roger Curtis, a board director for the proposed Tasmanian team, as the Devils celebrated their inaugural VFL match.
However, McRae was quick to set the record straight, reminding everyone that the 23-year-old Nick Daicos is “thriving” at the Holden Centre. His current contract with the Magpies extends until 2029, a significant commitment that predates Tasmania’s anticipated entry into the national competition by a year.
“Look, all I will say about Nick and Josh is that they are absolutely thriving in their environment, extremely well paid, so they should be,” McRae stated during a press conference on Wednesday. “They train as well as anyone we’ve ever had, so thriving and well looked after and that’s all we can control.”
Magpies’ Mixed Start and Forward Line Focus
Collingwood’s season has been described as a “mixed bag” thus far, with a win against St Kilda, a loss to Adelaide, and an early-season bye. McRae is eager to see the team find its rhythm as they prepare for their Friday night clash against the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
A notable concern has been the team’s scoring power, with the Magpies failing to surpass 80 points in their opening two matches. While McRae isn’t overly concerned by the raw numbers, he acknowledges the need for significant improvement in their forward-line efficiency.
“I thought that our connection inside 50 was really poor last game,” McRae admitted. “We had enough entries, the game before, a long time ago now, but round zero we connected really well, but we didn’t have enough entries. It’s been a bit of a mixed bag for our forwards, and we’ve got to work the last couple of weeks on some connection stuff.”
The bye period, while offering a chance to address these forward-line issues, has also provided a crucial recovery window for key defenders Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe. Both players have been sidelined with calf injuries.
Key Returns and Emerging Stars
The impending return of captain Darcy Moore and veteran defender Jeremy Howe is a significant boost for the Magpies. While they are expected to feature against the Giants, McRae indicated that their game-time might be managed carefully as they ease back into the action. The Giants themselves have experienced an inconsistent start to their campaign, securing one win from their opening three matches.
On a more positive note, McRae provided an optimistic update on Bobby Hill. The 2023 Norm Smith medallist is progressing well in his recovery from personal leave and is expected to be back on the field within weeks.
“He’s in pre-season mode now, but just to the eye, I think he’s a bit fitter than we thought he would be, so we’re excited to have him back,” the coach enthused. “He’s the sort of guy that comes to hand quickly. Pre-season’s never been his greatest time of the year, but when the balls come out and play, I think that’s when Bobby shines.”
The Magpies will be looking to leverage these returning stars and address their scoring woes as they aim to build momentum in the coming weeks. The focus remains firmly on their performance on the field, with the club confident in its ability to retain its core talent, including the highly sought-after Daicos brothers.
