Not just Tasmania: Look out Collingwood, Victorian rivals are circling Daicos

1 hour ago 1

Victorian rivals have joined Tasmania in circling Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos as belief grows that he is unwilling – for now – to sign the kind of long-term extension that could make him a Magpie for life.

Multiple clubs are closely monitoring the situation, sensing a rare opportunity that could emerge if Daicos resists committing beyond his current deal with Collingwood, which runs to the end of 2029.

While a trade would be enormously complicated given the length of his contract and his status as one of the AFL’s premier players, the possibility that Daicos may not commit himself to Collingwood indefinitely has spared fresh interest across Victoria.

Nick Daicos is Collingwood royalty, and arguably the best player in the AFL.

Three sources close to the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, have told this masthead Collingwood have shown a willingness to offer Daicos a significant contract extension to guarantee his playing career in black and white for life. But Daicos is comfortable with his current contract and will wait to see what happens around him.

When contacted by this masthead, Magpies football boss Charlie Gardiner said he wouldn’t comment on contract negotiations.

Expansion club Tasmania Devils looms as the most aggressive suitor as it prepares to enter the competition in 2028, while rival Victorian clubs are also watching closely in the event the Brownlow Medal contender’s long-term future becomes uncertain.

Landing a player of Daicos’ stature would require one of the most significant trade packages in league history and would test the AFL’s expansion mechanisms as the league works through how the Devils will assemble their inaugural list.

But the prospect of prising Daicos from Collingwood would likely require more than just the lure of leading a new club.

Hawthorn loom as one club prepared to make bold plays for the game’s biggest names after demonstrating its appetite for headline acquisitions last year when it aggressively pursued Essendon captain Zach Merrett.

The Hawks have been open about their desire to accelerate their rebuild with elite talent and would absolutely enter the conversation if Daicos ever became genuinely attainable.

Internally, Collingwood remain confident they can keep the 23-year-old long-term, but there were signs of frustration from Daicos across parts of last season.

Sources say he was unhappy at times with how he was utilised on the field by coach Craig McRae, particularly when deployed in roles that limited his influence around the contest.

There was also disappointment at the club’s best-and-fairest count, as Daicos finished runner-up to Darcy Cameron despite a standout season that saw him again establish as the competition’s elite player.

The reaction was significant enough that Collingwood reviewed aspects of its voting system over the summer, with the club adjusting elements of the process heading into the current season.

None of those frustrations have yet translated into any meaningful discussions to leave the club and Daicos continues to play a central role in Collingwood’s premiership push.

However, as Tasmania’s entry draws closer and rival clubs continue to track the situation, the future of one of the AFL’s brightest stars is set to remain a topic of intrigue.