AFL Finals 2023: Nick Daicos back at Collingwood training, Pies wrestle with tall line-up despite forecast rain

Nick Daicos made strides towards a finals return, meanwhile forecast rain may play havoc with Collingwood’s dual ruck plans. All the news from Collingwood training.

Collingwood fans spirits were lifted when Nick Daicos emerged training strongly before Collingwood’s main session. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Collingwood star Nick Daicos has pushed himself in a solo training session on Wednesday as he ramped up his bid to make an AFL finals return from a knee injury.

The young gun reappeared for the first time since his cameo in front of the Magpies faithful on Sunday, training by himself at Olympic Park on Wednesday morning.

The All-Australian midfielder upped the ante as he tried to prove he had recovered from the hairline fracture in his knee, completing a series of conditioning drills including lunges holding a wooden stick.

He again completed run-throughs at a high speed with some slight change of direction work.

Daicos’ freedom of movement put to bed any concern he had pulled up poorly after the Sunday session given his absence from the Magpies’ main training run on Tuesday.

He spent a significant amount of time doing skills work with two Collingwood staffers before the Magpies’ captain’s run.

Nick Daicos out by himself doing some conditioning work before @CollingwoodFC captain’s run this morning – again moving at a good clip, has done some change of direction stuff as well. pic.twitter.com/0decFzcytK

— Ed Bourke (@edbourke6) September 5, 2023

The exact timeline for the 20-year-old’s return is unclear, but the Magpies expect him to be available at least by preliminary finals week.

Coach Craig McRae would not say on Tuesday whether Daicos would be available should the Pies lose to Melbourne and be forced into a semi-final next week.

“We’re hoping we’re not going to have to worry about that,” he said.

“We’ll take what we can control right now.”

Will wet weather dampen Pies’ big man plans?

Collingwood will take a tall approach to Thursday night’s blockbuster qualifying final against Melbourne as coach Craig McRae declared both Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox would be named in the team.

But whether one serves as a tactical substitute — particularly as the threat of inclement weather looms large — remains to be decided.

The team completed its final training session on Tuesday morning with fast play a clear focus in match simulation.

Mason Cox at Collingwood training. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

What will Craig McRae do with his big man set up, featuring Dan McStay, this week? Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Cox’s stocks

Darcy Cameron, Mason Cox, Dan McStay – can they all fit?

One of the biggest challenges in the ruck awaits in Melbourne skipper Max Gawn so does McRae opt for a two-pronged attack?

It’s a quandary he admits he has considered a range of options in prelude to the huge ruck battle, but confirmed that both Cox and Cameron — who rucked against one another in match simulation — would both earn selection.

“I’m happy to declare that they will both play,” McRae said.

“In what capacity, whether one starts as the sub, I’m not sure. We’ll work through that.

“The best version of us over the last 18 months is having both of them at their best.

“We like to think that we’ll get that against Melbourne on Thursday night.”

Cox – who served as ruck in a number of drills including against Cameron in the main match simulation – has performed on a big night at the MCG before but whether he suits up as one of the main men against the Dees is one of the biggest selection questions of the qualifying final.

Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox will both play against the Dees. Photo by Michael Klein.

It’s not the only one.

Beau McCreery is back in contention after serving a one-match suspension, Jack Ginnivan provides potential for “a spark”, while recruits Billy Frampton and Oleg Markov have also played vital roles.

“I’ve slept on a couple of magnets, not sure which way we’re going to go. I’ve been debating and analysing who fits in and why,” McRae said.

“I think the reality is we will pick a team that we think can beat Melbourne. That’s what we’re setting ourselves up for and working our way towards.

“We’ve got guys that have played great footy of late and some guys that have great bodies of work.

“I think it will be little match-up things, little system things and what does the team need to give us a spark in certain places. We’ve got some headaches in front of us.”

No sign of Nick

After being put through his paces in a running session on Sunday in front of a big Magpies crowd, there was no sign of star midfielder Nick Daicos at the team’s main training session on Thursday.

The club remains hopeful he will only miss the qualifying final due to the knee injury that derailed the end of his home and away season, with victory on Thursday night ensuring what would no doubt be a very handy extra week off.

“He ran well on Sunday and we were all excited to see that step forward,” McRae said.

“The plan is for him to train (on Wednesday), so give him a couple of days off and recover from that, then take the next step, which is exciting to think that he is progressing well.”

Nick Daicos trained on Sunday – but there was no sign of the young star on Tuesday. Picture: Tony Gough.

Getting defensive

Nathan Murphy trained fully after he missed the final home and away match of the season due to corks in his back and glute.

Surely is a straight-back-in prospect, but come the full match simulation portion of training, played defence in the side primarily comprised of VFL players.

Jack Ginnivan, John Noble and Billy Frampton also played in that side – read into that what you will.

Fellow backman Darcy Moore moved as smoothly as ever having overcome a hamstring complaint, having also found time to hit the hairdresser for a stark new do in time for finals.

Nathan Murphy is expected to return. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Flying high

Worked out? Whether Collingwood’s prowess all season could lead to other teams having had more time up their sleeve to nut out the Magpies’ big-game approaches doesn’t faze McRae.

“I think we’re well aware that every opposition knows how we want to play, and we do the same for them,” he said.

“I also don’t subscribe to the theory that your best is in round 13, and it’s done … tomorrow’s the best day of my life, or at least I’m aiming for it.

“I think we’ve got great momentum in certain parts of our game that we’re keen to put on show.”