
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos explains reasons for not choosing to rest
Daicos copped a knock two weeks ago against Gold Coast and looked proppy, but was able to finish the match.
In Sunday's loss to Fremantle, Daicos spent the majority of the match at half-back but looked untroubled as he racked up a career-high 43 disposals.
Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes last week suggested a number of Collingwood stars were playing for 'selfish reasons'.
'Nick is sore, clearly sore and has been throughout the year,' Cornes said on Seven's The Agenda Setters.
'Is he playing for a Brownlow?
'My theory is that those players are not being managed to get themselves right to win a second or a third premiership in Pendlebury's case. Are they playing for individual reasons more so than getting themselves right when they need to be right (in September)?'
While not responding to Cornes directly, Daicos said his body was in need of continuity.
'I'm feeling really good,' Daicos told 7NEWS.
'My body likes continuity and just to continue being out there playing is the main thing for me.
'Body's feeling really good. It's a good time to be feeling good coming into finals so (I) just need to stay on top of everything.'
And after two straight losses for Collingwood, top spot is suddenly not as likely as it had looked for the majority of the season.
'Definitely doesn't feel like we have a comfortable buffer,' Daicos said.
'I know the boys are keen to continue playing ... ultimately we need to be playing good footy going into the finals,' he said.
'We've got to continue to win and put ourselves in the best position going into finals.'
While Nick Daicos spent time out of the midfield against the Dockers, brother Josh enjoyed a more prominent role after dominating in the last quarter the week before against Gold Coast.
'I'd love to see him there. Obviously he had a really great game alongside a few of the other boys who were in there getting the ball forward, it was awesome,' Nick said.
'He keeps reminding me that I might have lost my spot in there.'
The Daicos brothers and dad, Peter, were all together to model a special retro jumper that will be worn in next week's home clash against Brisbane.
'It's very close to me heart ... it will be great,' Pies legend Peter Daicos said.

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The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Couldn't hit the side of a barn': Dockers miss chances
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has urged his team to become more ruthless after being left to rue yet another missed opportunity to build all-important percentage. The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium. The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four. Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points. It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season. Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage. If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth. Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast. "We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said. "When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance). "I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us. "I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up. "So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step." Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away). Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth. There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young. The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood. He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last. His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has urged his team to become more ruthless after being left to rue yet another missed opportunity to build all-important percentage. The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium. The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four. Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points. It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season. Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage. If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth. Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast. "We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said. "When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance). "I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us. "I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up. "So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step." Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away). Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth. There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young. The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood. He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last. His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has urged his team to become more ruthless after being left to rue yet another missed opportunity to build all-important percentage. The Dockers posted their ninth win from their past 10 matches on Saturday when they defeated struggling West Coast by 49 points at Optus Stadium. The 18.18 (126) to 12.5 (77) triumph kept Fremantle (13-6) within percentage of the top four. Although a 49-point win on paper sounds strong, Fremantle created enough opportunities to win in the vicinity of 75 points. It continued a trend for Fremantle, who have only won in excess of 50 points once this season. Out of the top nine teams, Fremantle (111.7 per cent) possess by far the worst percentage. If could be a big issue that comes back to haunt them in the next month as they attempt to lock down a finals or even a top-four berth. Longmuir didn't mince his words when talking about the missed opportunity of building percentage after the win over West Coast. "We just couldn't hit the side of a barn, especially in that second quarter - 1.6 and two out on the full," Longmuir said. "When you're 18.18 and there are four out of the fulls (it is a missed chance). "I said to the players after the game, it's been a bit of a trend for us. "I think we held Adelaide to 38 points or something until three-quarter time, and then coughed up three or four goals out of our back half just by going to sleep in that game."It was a bit the same with the GWS game. And you do that across the course of the year - take one per cent here or there - it adds up. "So we need to be a bit more ruthless in that sense. And maybe that's the next step." Fremantle will have another chance to boost their percentage next Sunday when they host struggling Carlton at Optus Stadium, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Port (away), Brisbane (home) and Western Bulldogs (away). Given the Dockers' poor percentage, they will probably need to win all four in order to nab a prized top-four berth. There were plenty of big contributors in the win over West Coast, but the most pleasing aspect of the triumph was the hot form of Hayden Young. The 24-year-old made his return from hamstring surgery as the sub last week in the one-point win over Collingwood. He was handed a start against West Coast, and went on to tally 23 disposals, seven clearances, 555m gained and three goals before being subbed out early in the last. His efforts earned him a maiden Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield, and he looms as a key player in Fremantle's push for premiership glory.

Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
A footy text put our friendship on the brink. She should know there are rules
It's a weekend, I've time on my hands and it strikes me that I haven't checked in with a few friends for a while. But before I text, I need to look up the footy fixture. I'll work through a mental checklist. Has their team played yet? Did they win? Did they get thrashed? Where are they on the ladder? Are they out of finals' contention? Does it fit with pre-season predictions? Whether they're Carlton supporters with the blues, Saints mates having a hellish season or Bomber besties nosediving, footy fandom comes with great highs and the lowest of lows. If they're hardcore card carrying, scarf waving, form-following fans their moods are delicately connected to the win/loss ratio of their teams. If there's a game coming up, I'll usually put off my text for another day. If their team has been thrashed, I will give it a miss. Don't poke the bear. If they've had a win I might text a congratulatory message. My sporting fix is AFL, but it could apply to any other code. The season starts with great promise, and before long teams and the hopes and dreams of their supporters are cruelled by injuries, long-awaited premiership windows vanish and suddenly September is looking free. Anyone for a weekend away? Others are on tenterhooks, madly calculating if their team can make the cut, and praying for unlikely upsets in hope that other teams will make way for them. A friend and I bristled after a Collingwood-barracking friend texted us to gloat as we stood, stunned and disappointed in the MCG stands after the siren, as Richmond's 2018 campaign for back-to-back premierships came to a sudden end.

The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
A footy text put our friendship on the brink. She should know there are rules
It's a weekend, I've time on my hands and it strikes me that I haven't checked in with a few friends for a while. But before I text, I need to look up the footy fixture. I'll work through a mental checklist. Has their team played yet? Did they win? Did they get thrashed? Where are they on the ladder? Are they out of finals' contention? Does it fit with pre-season predictions? Whether they're Carlton supporters with the blues, Saints mates having a hellish season or Bomber besties nosediving, footy fandom comes with great highs and the lowest of lows. If they're hardcore card carrying, scarf waving, form-following fans their moods are delicately connected to the win/loss ratio of their teams. If there's a game coming up, I'll usually put off my text for another day. If their team has been thrashed, I will give it a miss. Don't poke the bear. If they've had a win I might text a congratulatory message. My sporting fix is AFL, but it could apply to any other code. The season starts with great promise, and before long teams and the hopes and dreams of their supporters are cruelled by injuries, long-awaited premiership windows vanish and suddenly September is looking free. Anyone for a weekend away? Others are on tenterhooks, madly calculating if their team can make the cut, and praying for unlikely upsets in hope that other teams will make way for them. A friend and I bristled after a Collingwood-barracking friend texted us to gloat as we stood, stunned and disappointed in the MCG stands after the siren, as Richmond's 2018 campaign for back-to-back premierships came to a sudden end.