Collingwood’s Josh Daicos expressed his regret after conceding a free kick in the final moments of the match against Carlton, which nearly jeopardised his team’s victory. With just 15 seconds remaining and the Pies ahead by six points, Daicos pushed Carlton forward Talor Byrne to the ground at a crucial stoppage, allowing Byrne a chance to equalise with a shot on goal. Fortunately for Collingwood, Byrne missed, and they clinched the win.
Had Byrne converted, it would have been particularly disheartening for Daicos, as the match coincided with his brother Nick Daicos’ landmark 100th game. Star midfielder Nick played an exceptional match, playing a key role in Collingwood’s comeback, particularly in the last quarter where he secured 13 disposals, three centre clearances, a goal, and two goal assists, ultimately finishing the game with an impressive 39 disposals.
Reflecting on his error, Josh Daicos told ABC Sport, “Reliving it now, I don’t even want to look at the vision. I feel a bit sick talking about it just because we worked so hard as a team, and for something like that to happen…” He recounted the moment, acknowledging that he allowed his emotions to get the better of him and recognised the need to maintain composure under pressure. “I’m relieved he missed, and we get the four points,” he added.
Celebrating his brother’s achievement, Josh praised Nick’s resilience and performance throughout the match. “He’s a bit of a human highlight reel, and when things are tough, he stood up for us,” he said, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside him. Nick’s start to his career has been notably impressive, having ranked highly in the Brownlow Medal polling and receiving All-Australian selections.
As the Magpies look ahead, they prepare for the upcoming Anzac Day clash against Essendon, aiming to build on their recent success.