Nick Daicos hits rival in the stomach causing potential Brownlow Medal drama
A Collingwood young star’s hit to the midsection of a rival could throw the AFL’s biggest individual medal into pure carnage.
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Round 10 of the 2023 AFL season is in the books and for the first time all season long we’ve finally got some Brownlow Medal drama.
Collingwood second year star Nick Daicos entered the season at odds of $34 to take home the biggest individual prize in the game.
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Daicos started the season like a house on fire as he torched opponents week in and week out by racking up obscene disposal numbers.
Teams refused to send a body anywhere close to the 20-year-old as he helped fuel Collingwood’s ladder leading charge through the opening 10 rounds.
His individual displays saw him smash the betting markets to become the outright favourite to take home the Brownlow Medal.
But an incident during the Pies clash against Carlton on Sunday left many questioning if he’d be ruled ineligible.
Carlton’s Blake Acres was tussling with Nick and Josh Daicos when Nick stepped forward and looked like he threw a right hand into the midsection of Acres.
The blow caused Acres to keel over and hit the turf at the MCG.
“That’s probably a fine, depending on how they grade the severity,” Tim Watson said on Seven’s coverage.
It’s that last little remark from Watson that makes this even remotely intriguing. There’s no way Daicos should be suspended for that action, but who knows what could happen.
Match review officer Michael Christian has thrown out curveballs all season long, so while Daicos should ultimately be slapped with a fine, a suspension wouldn’t be the most surprising move.
"That's probably a fine" - Tim Watson.
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 21, 2023
Anything to worry about here for Nick Daicos?#AFLBluesPiespic.twitter.com/7Cyp3NuPhp
The Brownlow Medal market was thrown into further carnage when it was reported that Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver may miss multiple games.
Oliver sits third in betting behind Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli but could be set to miss the next three games after pulling up sore against Port Adelaide on Friday night.
The midfield maestro grabbed at his hamstring but managed to play out the remainder of the contest.
The injury however will be assessed with Melbourne expecting an outcome on Monday, with the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reporting the injury could cost him a month on the sidelines.
Melbourne are set to face Fremantle, Carlton and Collingwood in three key games before their bye round. The loss of Oliver would be instrumental.
Collingwood comfortably took care of business against Carlton on Sunday to stay a game clear on top of the ladder.
The win makes it six in a row for the Pies as they take their season record to 9-1 with the only blight in 2023 coming against the Brisbane Lions in round 4.
Melbourne fell to fourth after the defeat against the Power, who leapt ahead of them on the ladder.
The loss snapped a four game win streak for the Demons and has them 7-3 on the season.
Originally published as Nick Daicos hits rival in the stomach causing potential Brownlow Medal drama
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