By Peter Ryan and Jake Niall
Nick Daicos says the decision for him and brother Josh to commit to the Magpies for at least six more years was “a bit of a no-brainer decision for both of us”.
Nick – the Brownlow Medal favourite – had already signed a deal until the end of 2025 that was set to reward him lucratively before the club agreed to create this new contract. His older brother Josh, 24, was also given a long-term extension after making the All-Australian squad of 40 last year. Nick is now tied to the club until the end of 2029, and Josh 2030.
Brothers in arms Nick (left) and Josh Daicos show their love in 2022, Nick’s first season in the AFL.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
Nick, 20, was named the AFL Players Association’s best first-year player in 2022 and won the league’s Rising Star award, and was already contracted until the end of 2025 having signed on as a father-son for four years before he played a game.
The new contract, which was signed on Tuesday, earns him a gradual increase on the previous contract in his first couple of seasons before cementing the precocious talent among the game’s highest-paid players in its final years, according to two sources familiar with the broad parameters of the contract, who wanted to remain anonymous as they weren’t authorised to speak publicly.
There have also been incentives and potential to earn bonuses written into the deal with the eventual dollar amount also tied to the increase in total player payments (TPP) expected to exceed $1 million by the end of the contract.
The upcoming collective bargaining agreement, which is expected to be five years, is close to completion.
Josh (left) and Nick Daicos celebrate a goal against North Melbourne last year.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
“We have got so many players in the team at the moment that have grown from last year and hopefully continue on that trajectory,” Nick Daicos said on Wednesday.
“Fly [Collingwood coach Craig McRae] and all the coaches have been great in implementing a game style that allows us all to express our strengths. We will continue to hopefully play good, exciting footy.”
Josh will earn less than his younger brother, however his contract remains strong as he continues his rapid rise. The 24-year-old is in line for All-Australian selection after another outstanding season in 2023, and his improvement has coincided with his brother’s arrival at the club.
Josh was contracted until the end of next season when he would have become a free agent, but the Magpies were keen to get his signature before the end of the year.
“I’m pumped about the journey we are on,” Josh said.
Collingwood’s football general manager, Graham Wright – who played with the pair’s legendary father, Peter Daicos, at the Magpies in the 1980s and 1990s – was pleased to lock the brothers into long-term deals.
“Josh and Nick are both quality young men and talented footballers, and we are looking forward to seeing them in the black-and-white stripes for years to come,” Wright said in a statement issued by Collingwood.
“Josh continues to impress and has really shown consistency in his form across the last couple of seasons. The work that he puts into his craft as a footballer combined with his determination to become better every day should be commended.
“Nick, in only his second season and with 44 games under his belt at the elite level, is continuing to grow as a footballer.
“Like his brother Josh, Nick’s professionalism, preparation and attention to detail is consistently elite, and it is these habits which will hold them both in good stead for years to come.
“Both young men are great ambassadors for our club. They are incredibly positive and outgoing people and have an openness and appetite to continue to learn and develop as people and footballers, and we look forward to continuing to support that development at Collingwood.”
Collingwood have their key players locked away until the end of next season and beyond.
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