AFL 2023: All the latest injury news out of Round 24

Collingwood coach Craig McRae had revealed young star Nick Daicos was ahead of schedule in his recovery – but he hasn’t yet done enough. Here’s the latest.

Brownlow Medal contender Nick Daicos has been ruled out of the qualifying final, despite preparing to test his injured foot on the training track next week.

Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said on Friday night the Pies had put a line through Daicos’ name for that final, given he was yet to commence running.

The Pies’ initial timeline for Daicos’ recovery from a hairline fracture in his knee had been the second week of finals, but coach Craig McRae had revealed he was ahead in his recovery.

Daicos will start running again in 7-10 days but the Pies believe it will not give him enough time to progress his rehab before the qualifying final.

Collingwood star Nick Daicos won’t play in the club’s first final. Picture: Michael Klein.

Collingwood could play in an MCG final on Thursday week to kick off the finals series, with Carlton a contender to host a Friday night final.

So the best-case scenario for Daicos is for Collingwood to win a qualifying final without him to give him two more weeks of recovery.

Captain Darcy Moore trained with the VFL group on Friday and will be ready for some match simulation next week after the Pies senior players have the weekend off.

Wright told Fox Footy’s AFL Tonight on Friday the Pies would be conservative with Daicos.

“Darcy will certainly be available. He trained with our VFL team today who are playing on Sunday so he will be available. Where it sits at the moment I don’t think Nick will be available for the first final. The six week mark was what we said, which is round two of the finals.”

Nathan Murphy missed the Friday night clash against Essendon after knocks to his back and hip.

But if the Pies can avoid fresh injuries, they could have only Daicos out of their best side for the qualifying final.