Craig McRae Defends Nick Daicos Amid Tasmania Devils Interest
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has emphatically reaffirmed Nick Daicos’ value to the club, responding to speculation linking the star midfielder with a potential move to the expansion club, the Tasmania Devils.
Daicos’ Contract and Tasmania Devils’ Interest
Despite ongoing headlines regarding his long-term future, McRae stressed that Daicos, 23, is currently contracted with Collingwood until the end of 2029. The Tasmania Devils, set to enter the AFL in 2028, have reportedly dangled a substantial offer – a 10-year, $25 million deal, including a significant portion of their $5 million sign-on bonus – to lure the talented player. The Age
Daicos recently expressed his happiness at Collingwood to Fox Footy, but the interest from the Devils has prompted McRae to publicly address the situation.
McRae’s Strong Statement
McRae was direct in his assessment of Daicos’ position, stating, “Look, all I will say about Nick and Josh is that they are absolutely thriving in their environment, extremely well paid, so they should be.” He further emphasized that Daicos and his brother, Josh, are well-compensated, with Nick earning $1.1 million per season and potentially up to $1.4 million in coming years. The Age
McRae acknowledged discussing the “outside noise” with Daicos, but reiterated that the player has a four-year contract with the Magpies. Josh Daicos is also firmly committed to the club, having signed a six-year extension that ties him to Collingwood until the end of 2030.
Family Connection to Tasmania
The Daicos family – including Collingwood legend Peter Daicos – recently generated headlines with speaking engagements in Tasmania, where they were photographed with Roger Curtis, a director of the Tasmania Devils. This fueled speculation about a potential move, but McRae downplayed the significance of the visit. The Age
Daicos himself explained that the trip was planned in December and coincided with the Devils’ first VFL game. He stated that his manager handles any potential approaches from other clubs.
Other AFL News
In other AFL news, Fremantle’s Patrick Voss has apologized to Melbourne’s Harrison Petty for a taunt used during their recent match. Voss admitted he was unaware of the origins of the gesture, which stemmed from a 2022 incident involving Petty and Dayne Zorko. The Age Voss has been fined $1500 for the incident.
Collingwood is also set to welcome back captain Darcy Moore and veteran Jeremy Howe from injury for their upcoming clash against Greater Western Sydney. The club will also debut young ruckman Oscar Steene.
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