Callum Brown and Josh Daicos to add to Collingwood’s exciting father-son brigade
COLLINGWOOD is well positioned to draft both Callum Brown and Josh Daicos at a discount under the father-son rule at next Friday’s draft. WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS.
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COLLINGWOOD is well positioned to draft both Callum Brown and Josh Daicos at a discount under the father-son rule at next Friday’s draft.
And Brown’s younger brother Tyler has entered the Eastern Ranges system as a raw half-forward who will be eligible for the Magpies at next year’s draft.
Daicos also has a younger brother, Nick, who is blessed with talent.
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The Pies say they will not pay overs for Brown or Daicos and have previously let father-sons play elsewhere, including James Stewart (Essendon).
But after trading ruckman Jarrod Witts for 485 draft points, they hope to use pick 28 on the best available player before matching bids on Brown and Daicos.
Inside midfielder Brown, 18, is rated around the 30-40 mark and was compared to premiership player Caleb Daniel by the Ranges.
Daicos, 17, is unlikely to receive a bid until the third round.
The famous surnames would link up with emerging star Darcy Moore at the Magpies in a thrill for supporters.
Moore’s father Peter won the 1979 Brownlow Medal while Gavin Brown and Peter Daicos played in the 1990 premiership.
After pick 28 the Pies hold four selections which are worth 834 draft points.
Chief recruiter Derek Hine has told the families that the Magpies will not let emotion dictate whether to match bids.
Ranges talent manager Len Villani said he would be “very, very surprised” if they let Brown go.
“He’s very clean, a super competitor and kicks the ball really, really well,” Villani said.
“I liken him to what Caleb Daniel plays like at AFL level. He doesn’t waste a possession and he’s a very, very smart footballer.
“There’s smart footballers and then there’s ones (like Brown) at the next level.”
Brown proved the doubters wrong this season, averaging 24 disposals and a goal despite his slight frame.
Villani said his core strength and ability to bounce to his feet reminded him of superstar Gavin Wanganeen.
Like Daniel, the courageous ball winner is likely to start as a small forward.
Daicos’s form dipped late in the season, but he boasts terrific smarts and has shown flashes of brilliance.
“His positioning is really good,” dad Peter Daicos said this year.
“He keeps his feet and you can’t ask any more. You’re still in the contest if you keep your feet.”
Daicos and Brown have both spoken about their dreams to continue their Collingwood lineage after a lifetime supporting the club.
Daicos spent 2016 studying the aerobic power of Lachie Whitfield while All-Australian Brown models his game on Fremantle star Lachie Neale.
Villani said that while Tyler Brown — a spitting image of Callum — was “very raw physically”, he would be given every chance.
“He showed a little bit in a couple of trials. In the right environment, who knows? We’ll see how far he can get,” Villani said.
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