Collingwood selected father-son duo Callum Brown and Josh Daicos at the national draft
EDDIE McGuire has declared Collingwood’s recruiting of father-son young guns Callum Brown and Josh Daicos the ultimate football romance.
EDDIE McGuire has declared Collingwood’s recruiting of father-son young guns Callum Brown and Josh Daicos the ultimate football romance.
The Magpies swooped on the sons of 1990 premiership legends Gavin Brown and Peter Daicos and added tall defender Sam McLarty for good measure.
McLarty was born with profound deafness, wears a bionic ear and plays with a helmet.
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McGuire said of Brown and Daicos: “They are young men on their first day in the adult world but football is all about dreams and romance, or at least it should be, and this is just something great.
“They are to be congratulated on being picked and a credit to their parents.
“It’s a wonderful day for our club.”
They join Darcy Moore, son of dual Brownlow Medallist Peter Moore, as Collingwood father-sons.
Daicos said on Friday night: “I’m in shock, it all feels pretty surreal. It’s been a goal of mine for 18 years, you work toward and you don’t stop thinking about it — it’s pretty amazing and I’m feeling great.
“It’s the greatest moment of my life.”
North Melbourne, where Brown Snr now works as a development coach, bid for Callum with pick 35 but the Pies matched the offer.
Gavin played in Collingwood’s 1990 premiership and was a three-time Copeland Trophy winner.
Daicos Snr won two Copelands, was a five-time leading goalkicker and a 1990 premiership player.
Josh played predominantly as a creative small forward (178cm) for Oakleigh Charges but is building his endurance for a crack at the midfield.
Callum, a 177cm inside midfielder, made rapid progress this season for Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup.
“His footy always spoke for itself but his body has matured in the last 12 months,” Brown’s manager Mark Klieman said.
“The thing about him is he doesn’t fumble and he makes good decisions — so even though he’s not blessed with height, that’s what gives him time and space.”
Like their famous fathers, Brown and Daicos played in a premiership together two years ago as bottom agers for the Bulleen-Templestowe Colts.
They’ve stayed in regular contact as part of Collingwood’s father-son academy program and trained a few times with the senior group.
The Magpies believe the pressure of being the sons of two former club greats will be made easier by sharing the experience together.
Brown’s younger — but taller — brother Tyler is also showing promise as a father-son prospect in the junior ranks.
The Pies landed Bendigo Pioneer Kayle Kirby at pick 50 — a small forward likened to Byron Pickett with Cyril Rioli tricks.
Originally published as Collingwood selected father-son duo Callum Brown and Josh Daicos at the national draft