Collingwood coach reminds football world Nick Daicos remains on a long-term contract
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has reminded that Nick Daicos is well-paid and successful at the Magpies, and the star midfielder’s long-term future continues to make headlines.
Daicos, 23, has a contract until the end of 2029 but is an important player for the Tasmania Devils, who will join the AFL in 2028.
The superb offensive player is the Magpies’ highest-paid player, making $1.1 million a season and will pocket $1.4 million in coming years, but the Devils could offer him a 10-year, $25 million deal that includes a significant portion of his $5 million signing bonus.
A day after Daicos told Fox Footy he was “really happy” at Collingwood, McRae reminded the football world that Daicos and his brother Josh were well-paid.
“Look, the one thing I would say about Nick and Josh is that they are absolutely successful in their environment and they are paid extremely well, and they should be,” McRae said.
“They teach as well as anyone we have ever had, they are very successful and they are well cared for.”
McRae said he talks to Daicos regularly about the “noise out there.”
“I talk to Nick regularly about these things. I think so, right? Other people create the story. Last time I checked he had a four-year contract,” McRae said.
Josh Daicos, who signed a six-year contract extension, has a contract with his club until the end of 2030.
The Daicos brothers and their father, Collingwood great Peter, made headlines last weekend when they attended speaking events in Tasmania where they posed for photos with Devils board director Roger Curtis, a Collingwood fan. Their visit coincided with the Devils making their VFL debut in front of a packed crowd.
Nick Daicos said the trip was “planned a long time ago, in December” after the Magpies’ early-season farewell was confirmed.
“I had planned to play some golf there, I had a few dates and coincidentally the VFL was playing its first game so it didn’t line up very well,” he said.
The Magpies co-captain said his agent Robbie D’Orazio of CDG Sports Management was interested in possible approaches.
“I don’t talk to my manager very much about these types of issues,” Daicos said.
“He can talk to those kinds of people all he wants… If Tassie wants to continue that conversation, he can talk to them. I’m really happy at Collingwood.”
The Magpies and the Daicos have not yet started talks on a contract extension. D’Orazio has been contacted for comment.
Industry sources said the Magpies were keen to begin talks with their star and understood he would need to remain their highest-paid player or be extremely close to their highest-paid player if they were to pursue a marquee manager like Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters or an off-contract star.
But they are also aware of what it will take to assemble a list capable of competing for the prime ministership; This often requires a more equal spread of wages.
McRae said captain Darcy Moore (hamstring) and fellow senior Jeremy Howe (calf) would return from injury for Friday night’s clash with Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium.
McRae said the Magpies were working closely to create more “links” going forward in order to be stronger on the scoreboard. The Prime Minister’s coach did not ignore the fact that Howe, a typical defender, spent time in his team’s attacking 50 meters.
Bobby Hill had his second practice after returning from personal leave; McRae suggested the 2023 Norm Smith medalist was fitter than the club initially expected and could return to the squad ahead of schedule. However, McRae said there is still no specific date for Hill’s matchday return.
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Jon Pierik is a sports reporter for The Age. He covers the AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect with: X or email.
