logo
One down, one up as McRae lauds Daicos double-act

One down, one up as McRae lauds Daicos double-act

Perth Now3 days ago

If one Daicos doesn't get you, the other one will.
Collingwood star Nick Daicos had his usual sharp impact blunted by a tight tag from rebadged Melbourne wingman Ed Langdon in the King's Birthday thriller.
But older brother Josh stepped up in a best-afield display, tallying a game-high 34 disposals from half-back in the Magpies' 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory at the MCG.
"It's a nice duo, isn't it?" Collingwood coach Craig McRae said of his super siblings.
"Josh has had an enormous year. He starts on the bench and he just looked like a different player to everyone else when he came on.
"Everyone was fumbling, but not Josh. I'm really happy for him.
"He's worked really hard on his game, he's never played backline before and he's working really hard to be the best player he can be.
"Right now everyone's seeing that."
Daicos pounces on the turnover and Long hits the scoreboard 👏#AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/O3Dcs4M8a5— AFL (@AFL) June 9, 2025
Langdon wore Nick Daicos like a glove from the outset and frustrated the Pies' Brownlow Medal fancy, who had just seven touches in the first half.
Daicos had another seven in the third quarter and almost had a major say in the last, when he kicked one goal from a 50 metre penalty and missed another set shot when Langdon conceded a free kick.
Langdon had just four disposals himself and raised eyebrows with some of his close-checking tactics, but McRae conceded the hard-running Demon played his role well.
"I thought Nick was well handled today," McRae said.
"They did a great job on him and Nick fought through it, but Langdon would've had the honours."
The physical battle between Langdon and Daicos sparked a series of spotfires between players from both sides in the first half.
McRae felt it was a "nil-all draw" in the way his players looked after Daicos in slippery conditions that made for a hard-fought contest.
"There were times when we could've done a few things different, but it's a different game right now," McRae said.
Not to be outdone by his sons, Collingwood legend Peter Daicos stood out dressed as Heath Ledger's iconic Joker in the pre-match Big Freeze fundraiser.
The Magpies' fifth straight win gave them an 11-2 record on top of the ladder at their mid-season bye.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AFL 2025: Kysaiah Pickett signs $12m, nine-year deal with Melbourne
AFL 2025: Kysaiah Pickett signs $12m, nine-year deal with Melbourne

Sky News AU

timean hour ago

  • Sky News AU

AFL 2025: Kysaiah Pickett signs $12m, nine-year deal with Melbourne

Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett declared he was grateful to be a 'Demon for life' after signing a whopping nine-year contract, worth a reported $12m, to stay at the Demons. Months after he was linked to a move to Fremantle, the 24-year-old is now locked in at Melbourne until the end of 2034, signing the longest active deal in the AFL. Pickett was already contracted to Melbourne until the end of 2027, but it's understood the extension is a new deal with new financial terms that could earn him in excess of $1.4m a season. 'I'm really happy and proud to be continuing my career in the red and blue,' Pickett said. 'I love my teammates and my coaches, and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together in the years to come. We have shared some special memories over the past few years here, and I'm excited for what we can achieve next. 'The club has shown so much care for me and my family, and I can't thank them enough for their support. I would also like to thank the Demon fans for all the love. 'I get to live out my childhood dream, playing footy for the oldest club at the MCG, and I'm excited and grateful to be a Demon for life. 'Everything I do is for my family, and I just want to inspire my little brothers and my nephews too.' Pickett has played 116 games and booted 182 goals since his debut for the Demons in 2020 and was part of the 2021 premiership side. He's been arguably Melbourne's best player in 2025, with 21 goals from 10 games after a late start due to a suspension carrying over from 2024. Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said there was no doubt Pickett's best was still ahead of him. 'As one of the most dynamic players in the game, we are very excited that Kozzy has chosen to commit to Melbourne for the long term,' Lamb said. 'Kozzy is a special talent, and to have him sign a seven-year extension shows the belief he has in where we are heading. He loves the club and his teammates, and he wants to help drive sustained success for this group. 'At just 24 years of age, Kozzy's best football is still ahead of him.' Pickett joins teammates including Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca in signing contracts tying them to the club beyond 2030. Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young was the longest contracted player before Pickett's new deal after extending his contract with the Dockers until the end of 2033. Originally published as Melbourne gun Kysaiah Pickett signs $12m, nine-year deal

Tom Harley becomes second club CEO to join new-look AFL executive
Tom Harley becomes second club CEO to join new-look AFL executive

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Tom Harley becomes second club CEO to join new-look AFL executive

Bringing 'club experience' into the AFL was at the core of the league's decision to appoint Sydney chief executive and former Geelong captain Tom Harley the new chief operating officer. Harley, a two-time Geelong premiership captain, is the second club chief executive to join the league's new-look executive after Brisbane Lions boss Gregg Swann was added to AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon's staff. Dillon said the appointment of a COO, his No.2, would help drive the AFL's bold ambitions for growth. 'When we first announced the COO position, we were clear – this was about bringing strong club experience to the AFL's leadership. Tom Harley is the right person to do exactly that.' Dillon said. 'Tom has a deep understanding of the game – from his time as a two-time premiership captain, to leading AFL NSW/ACT, to steering the Swans through a period of significant on- and off-field growth. His ability to lead people, build trust, and drive long-term outcomes is exactly what we need at this moment in our journey and I am thrilled he is joining our executive leadership team.' As COO, Harley will lead the execution of the AFL's strategic and growth plans, drive industry-wide alignment and overseeing major portfolios, including club funding, player CBA, the salary cap and competition structure. Harley said it was a tough decision to leave the Swans, who will conduct a search for his replacement. 'Football has been so good to me, and I have always seen my involvement as a privilege. I'm deeply passionate about our sport and committed to doing whatever I can to support its continued growth,' he said. 'The Sydney Swans has been my home for many years now, and I'm incredibly proud of everything the club has achieved along the way. While wins and losses will always matter, we've never lost sight of our broader purpose – to enrich lives and bring joy to our community. I truly believe we've made a meaningful impact in that space, and I'm confident the club will continue to do so into the future. 'I'm energised by the challenge ahead and excited to keep working to grow our great game.'

AFL star Kysaiah Pickett signs massive deal with Melbourne Demons reportedly worth $12m
AFL star Kysaiah Pickett signs massive deal with Melbourne Demons reportedly worth $12m

ABC News

time2 hours ago

  • ABC News

AFL star Kysaiah Pickett signs massive deal with Melbourne Demons reportedly worth $12m

Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett has emphatically rejected the lure of a return to Western Australia, signing a monster seven-year contract extension with the Demons. Livewire forward Pickett, already locked in for two more seasons, becomes the longest-contracted player in the AFL after signing a deal that will keep him at Melbourne until at least the end of 2034. Pickett will be 33 by the end of his new contract, a deal reportedly worth $12 million. He eclipses Fremantle's Hayden Young, who signed a six-year extension in December to stay at the Dockers until 2033. Gold Coast young gun Mac Andrew signed a five-year contract from 2025 in September, which will be extended by another four years to 2034 if targets are met. Pickett had been heavily linked with a move to Fremantle, where former 2021 premiership teammate Luke Jackson plays. The 24-year-old, who has family links to both Perth and Adelaide, had been open about struggling with homesickness since being drafted to the Demons in 2019. Pickett thanked the club for their support after announcing the deal on Thursday. "I'm really happy and proud to be continuing my career in the red and blue," Pickett said in a club statement. "I love my teammates and my coaches, and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together in the years to come. "The club has shown so much care for me and my family, and I can't thank them enough for their support. "I get to live out my childhood dream, playing footy for the oldest club at the MCG, and I'm excited and grateful to be a Demon for life." Pickett has become one of the most lethal small forwards in the competition with his creative talents. The 24-year-old leads 14th-placed Melbourne (5-8) with 21 goals after kicking three in their King's Birthday blockbuster against Collingwood, ahead of Bayley Fritsch (14). It was his five-goal haul against Fremantle in round six that helped spark Melbourne after a 0-5 start to the season. Drafted with pick No.12, Pickett boasts 182 goals from 116 games. AAP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store