Collingwood track watch: Nick Daicos shows signs of improvement during lengthy Magpie session

Nick Daicos jumped off the bike to show signs of progress on his injury return as a forward potentially on his last chance continued to bed himself down in defence.

Nick Daicos has jumped off the bike and taken steps towards proper training after he worked through a running session at Collingwood training.

The star Magpie had been largely relegated to stationary bike work since the club returned from its Christmas break due to a foot concern but was on he track running early in Friday’s lengthy session.

Daicos put in a half-hour running block and appeared to indicate to a fitness staffer that his foot felt good before heading inside as his teammates prepares for match scenario training.

Fellow onballer Jordan De Goey was also largely working away from the main group as he continues a meticulous return from the groin issues that hindered his 2024.

Nick Daicos. Picture: Tony Gough

De Goey practised some side-to-side power movements and then joined in some drills, but sat out the match play.

Josh Daicos, who has been training as a defender for much of summer, also stepped out of the final stages of training.

Lachie Sullivan ran laps and Harvey Harrison worked on his running as he continues to build up his knee fitness.

Harry DeMattia breaks free. Picture: Tony Gough

Tom Mitchell was not on track after suffering a foot setback before Christmas.

The Magpies showed some signs of positional swaps during the session, which stretched on well beyond two hours.

Reef McInnes played as a tall defender as he continues a switch back to keep his career afloat.

He paired with Darcy Moore in defence during match sim for the ‘black’ team.

Another Pie hoping to find regular playing time this year, Fin Macrae played as a half-forward for the black team, in a forward line that included all of Tim Membrey, Brody Mihocek and Dan McStay.

Dan Houston is tackled. Picture: Tony Gough

A standout of the match sim was forward Bobby Hill.

The electric goalkicker appeared to be playing at a different speed as he stepped in and out of traffic, setting up shots at goal.

At one point he came to the sidelines to have some light strapping added to his right knee but he then returned to the field – on the opposite team to the one he was playing on – and sidestepped an opponent to deliver a goal assist to McStay.

Promising winger Ed Allen kicked a long goal late in the session, to the delight of teammates.

PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED

Beau McCreery – The premiership forward was one of several Pies to cop injury issues in 2024 but he looks back to full fitness now. His speed was strong at half-forward and he created space whenever he touched the ball.

Dan Houston – The recruit seemed to glide around during match play, collecting plenty of the ball and hitting targets at will. He appears all set to be a key weapon off half-back.

Harry DeMattia – A debut is surely coming in 2025 for the talented youngster, who dived on a footy in a contested situation to win the ball back for his team and ultimately set up a goal. A good runner with natural ball-hunting instincts.

Isaac Quaynor – Like McCreery, Quaynor’s injury niggles appear behind him. He set up defence and worked with Houston perfectly.

Originally published as Collingwood track watch: Nick Daicos shows signs of improvement during lengthy Magpie session