By Jim Morton
In a terrifying message to the rest of the AFL, Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos delivered one of the most commanding individual performances of the season in a ruthless 52-point demolition of reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba. If there was any doubt left about Daicos’ rise to the top tier of the AFL, it was obliterated on Thursday night.
Daicos, just 22 years old, ran rings around Brisbane’s midfield to lead the Magpies to a dominant 16.9 (105) to 7.11 (53) victory — a win that snapped the Lions’ 10-game winning streak and announced Collingwood as the team to beat in 2025. With 38 disposals, eight clearances, a goal, and countless moments of brilliance, Daicos didn’t just beat the tag — he made it look obsolete.
“The scary thing is, I think he’s only just getting started,” veteran Scott Pendlebury told Channel 7 after the match. “Nick’s starting to really show that it doesn’t matter what you do — he’ll find a way to influence the game. He got flattened in the middle and then popped up like nothing happened, dishing out the next handball. He’s a phenomenal player.”
The win marked Collingwood’s fifth-straight victory and further entrenched them as legitimate premiership contenders. Brisbane, on the other hand, looked rattled and outclassed for much of the night in front of a sell-out home crowd of 34,802.
Daicos himself said the team came into the clash determined to capitalise on their extra day’s rest — and to make a statement.
“We just wanted to bring pressure and play our brand of footy,” Daicos said post-match. “Regardless of who’s running with me, I just focus on helping the team. And I think when we embrace the tag, it opens the game up for guys like Steele [Sidebottom], Pendles, Jack Crisp, and others to do damage.”
Damage was certainly done.
From the outset, the Magpies were switched on — dominating the clearances, disrupting Brisbane’s transitions, and striking clinically on the scoreboard. The Daicos brothers combined for 21 disposals in the first quarter alone, and former Lion Daniel McStay rubbed salt in Brisbane wounds with two first-quarter goals.
The Lions fought back in a heated second term, but wayward goal-kicking and missed chances cost them dearly. By half-time, the Pies had extended their lead to 19 points and weren’t looking back.
From there, it was a Collingwood avalanche.
Jamie Elliott, celebrating his 200th game, kicked two goals including a key moment late in the third that pushed the lead to 42 points — effectively sealing the game. Bobby Hill lit up the forward line with his pace and flair, while Jordan De Goey marked a strong return from injury with two goals of his own.
And then there was the chaos.
The third quarter saw tensions boil over as Mason Cox — a late inclusion — took out Jack Payne in the lead-up to a McStay goal, sparking a wild melee. Earlier, Josh Daicos had been the beneficiary of a 77-metre (!) free kick that left Brisbane fans fuming. But the Pies didn’t flinch — instead, they punished every mistake with cold precision.
The only concern for Collingwood came late, with captain Darcy Moore copping a knee to the head from teammate Jeremy Howe. He required stitches to his ear cartilage but reported no concussion symptoms.
For Brisbane, the pain wasn’t just physical — it was symbolic. After being crowned the AFL’s “comeback kings” last year, the Lions were handed a stark reality check on their own turf. Collingwood not only avenged their 2023 Grand Final heartbreak — they showed they’ve evolved into an even more dangerous beast.
And at the heart of it all is Nick Daicos — untouchable, unshakable, and more terrifying with each passing week.
The rest of the league has officially been put on notice.
