By Jon Pierik
Collingwood star Nick Daicos insists the Magpies have solidified their “DNA”, and has declared he will be ready for tagger Willem Drew in Saturday’s heavyweight clash against fellow premiership contender Port Adelaide at the MCG.
After a tumultuous start to the season when they lost their opening three games, the Magpies have rebounded with two victories, against fellow 2023 grand finalist Brisbane, and a five-point thriller against the winless Hawks.
On track: Nick Daicos says the Magpies’ willingness to pressure opponents has been central to turning around their season.Credit: Getty Images
Their ball movement has improved, while their willingness to pressure was on show against the Hawks with a rating of 202, becoming only the third team to break the 200 mark this season to that point.
Coming off the bye, Daicos said on Monday that the premiers were fresh, and building towards striking top form “by the right time of the season” after the supporter angst that resulted from their sluggish start to the season.
“It’s an interesting start to the season. We probably didn’t start the way we wanted to in terms of wins and losses,” Daicos said, having served breakfast at the Magpies’ Nest Cafe to Melbourne’s homeless and disadvantaged community.
“I think the foundation of our game was there, and we have kept building on that, and we have been rewarded the last couple of weeks with wins. So, I think we are heading in the right direction, for sure, and we are starting to see the [pressure] DNA of our game come to fruition.
“It’s something that we pride ourselves on. As I said, it’s the foundation of our game, our pressure. We will continue to bring that for weeks to come. It’s something that we really practice throughout the week.”
Daicos is averaging a team-high 29.8 disposals per game, and had a season-high five tackles against the Hawks, coming after coach Craig McRae had lamented the “fundamental errors” his team was making. Daicos averaged almost four tackles per game last year, but had only laid two in each of the losses to Sydney and the Giants.
Now come the Power and Drew. The Magpies won each of their contests last season, although Drew was praised for helping to curb Daicos in round 19, when the playmaker was held to 25 touches, having averaged 33 to that point of the season. Drew had 16 possessions, and a career-high 16 tackles that night in Adelaide.
Daicos is often the focus of tagger speculation, and understands what’s needed to shed the shadow.
“I think just being flexible. It might not be my day, but helping the team, and sort of helping to break their [opponent’s] system. I think if we can make it two versus one around the ground, and manipulate that tag, [that’s] where it works best. As I said, I can play a number of roles, so as long as we get the win at the end of the day, I’ll be happy,” he said.
Veteran star Scott Pendlebury (fractured rib) faces a fight to prove his fitness, while Daicos said Nathan Murphy (concussion protocols) continues to work towards a return via the VFL.
“I think he is progressing well. It’s obviously a slow process, a bit of a frustrating one for Murph, so we are just getting right behind him,” Daicos said.
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