Rising Star nominee Nick Daicos could get the midfield minutes he‘s craving against West Coast this week as Collingwood coach Craig McRae looks to fill the void left by Taylor Adams and Jordan de Goey.
Adams was forced out by Covid protocols and de Goey suspended for a dangerous tackle in last week’s loss to Geelong, the first for the season and for new coach McRae.
Daicos, the son of club legend Peter, earnt the round 3 Rising Star nomination after his 26 disposal, one-goal effort against the Cats as the 19-year-old continued to show a readiness for the AFL that has backed up the hype around him.
McRae said the teenager could be one of many players, including Jamie Elliott, to see midfield minutes against the Eagles with the two stars absent.
“We’ve got some decisions to make. They are significant outs for us,” McRae said on Thursday.
“We don’t have those sort of quality players in the background waiting to come in. What we do have is guys ready to play roles … guys wanting to an opportunity to play a bit more time in there.
“Callum Brown has been playing well, Tyler Brown was the sub last week, then you have Nick (Daicos). There’s a number of guys we could look at. Jamie Elliott might play a little bit more midfield.”
xjmtzywMcRae hoped Adams would be available for next Thursday’s clash against Brisbane but conceded the effects of Covid in-season on players was a new thing to negotiate and he would have to be monitored.
“He was starting to feel a little bit unwell after the game (last Saturday). We don’t know how he’s going to feel coming out of that,” McRae said.
“We’ve only had a small sample size because most of our guys were in the pre-season that got Covid. Hopefully, he’ll be available for next Thursday night.”
Already averaging 25 disposals through his first three AFL games, played mainly across halfback, Daicos said he was still adapting to the speed of senior footy in his first season.
McRae said Daicos had been outstanding and playing “above” the level of someone so young and fresh to the AFL.
Daicos didn’t hide his ambition to get more midfield minutes but was also aware he wasn’t going to get special treatment just because of the hype around his arrival and impact.
“I’ve walked into the club with many other recruits and we’ve all been treated the same,” he said.
“We’ve all had to work for our spots, there are several other recruits banging down the door for selection.
“I just feel like another player on the list.”
