Collingwood coach Craig McRae has reaffirmed the value of star midfielder Nick Daicos, amidst speculation linking him to the expansion club, the Tasmania Devils. McRae’s comments arrive as Daicos continues to attract headlines regarding his long-term future, despite being contracted with the Magpies until the complete of 2029.

Daicos’ Contract and Tasmania Devils’ Interest

Nick Daicos, 23, currently earns $1.1 million per season and is set to earn up to $1.4 million in coming years. The Tasmania Devils, set to enter the AFL in 2028, have reportedly offered Daicos a substantial 10-year, $25 million deal, including a significant portion of their $5 million sign-on bonus.

Despite the lucrative offer from the Devils, McRae emphasized Daicos’ contentment at Collingwood. “Seem, 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. “They train as well as anyone we’ve ever had, so [they’re] thriving and well looked after.”

Addressing “Outside Noise” and Family Connections

McRae acknowledged discussing the external speculation with Daicos, stating, “I speak to Nick regularly about this sort of stuff. I think it is what it is, isn’t it? Like others are creating the story. Last time I looked, he had a four-year contract.”

Josh Daicos, Nick’s brother, is too tied to the club until the end of 2030, having signed a six-year contract extension. The Daicos family, including Collingwood great Peter Daicos, recently participated in speaking engagements in Tasmania, sparking further discussion about a potential move.

Daicos’ Response and Future Discussions

Nick Daicos himself stated he was “really happy” at Collingwood, and that his manager handles any potential approaches from other clubs. He indicated the Tasmania trip was planned well in advance.

Industry sources suggest Collingwood is prepared to start contract extension discussions with Daicos, recognizing the need to maintain him as either their highest-paid player or close to it, especially if they pursue other marquee players.

Recent Incidents and Apologies

In separate news, Fremantle forward Patrick Voss apologized to Melbourne’s Harrison Petty for using a “crying taunt” without understanding its origins. Voss was fined $1500 for unsportsmanlike behavior.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae and star player Nick Daicos were among players who used inappropriate language during post-match interviews, prompting calls from AFL reporter Caroline Wilson for the league to send a reminder to clubs about acceptable on-air conduct.