Garry Lyon: The big man vs small man debate examined ahead of Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

One is the favourite for this year’s Brownlow Medal. The other a generational key-position talent. Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon asks, would you rather have Sam Darcy or Nick Daicos at your club?

The spirited debates Lou Richards and Jack Dyer engaged in over the merits of ‘a good big man versus a good little man’ were some of my earliest football memories.

My young mind was too naive to recognise this for what it was; two of the great entertainers providing the kind of theatre that to this day is almost impossible to replicate. No, in my eyes this was a ferocious, ongoing argument between football royalty who just happened to be at the opposite ends of the size spectrum. Lou, perpetuating the stereotype of the ‘big, dumb thug’, and Jack disregarding the small men as inconsequential and a nuisance.

The two great men have long left us, but the argument is yet to be settled. Given the choice, do you take the best big man or opt for the best little man?

Sam Darcy is on track to be one of the AFL’s dominant talls.

Nick Daicos is one of the favourites for this year’s Brownlow Medal.

On Friday night at the MCG we get to witness a compelling case study.

In Nick Daicos, we have not only the best ‘little’ man in the game, we might just have the best player in the game, full stop. On that basis, it would be almost incomprehensible to think that there could be any choice, with any other player, let alone a ‘big’ man.

But, Sam Darcy, the 208cm, multifaceted, superbly athletic and naturally competitive phenom might just be the one player to make you pause, before deciding which way you go.

What an absolute joy it will be to watch these two young superstars run out on to the home of football on Friday, both equipped with the kind of skill set that can define a game. They will forever be connected as their careers unfold. Both sons of fathers that are revered figures at their clubs, both Captains, both Best and Fairest winners, both All Australians, both State of Origin representatives.

Darcy was taken at pick 2 in the 2021 Draft, Daicos at pick 4, both under the father/son bidding process. Daicos has since played 72 games, won a Premiership, a Copeland Trophy and 2 All Australian blazers. He was named the vice-captain of Collingwood at the start of the year and by any measurement is in the best handful of players in the competition. That he has established such a storied CV in the space of 3 seasons is staggering. Finding the appropriate plaudits for one so early into his career is going to be an ongoing challenge. He is the consummate professional, meticulously fair, sublimely talented, the perfect role model and is able to produce at a stunningly high level on a weekly basis. And he just turned 22.

SAM DARCY KICKS THE SEALER! #AFLPiesDogspic.twitter.com/bCFiNy7mX3

— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 31, 2024

Darcy has been a much slower build, but the anticipation of what is to come is tantalising. He’s managed just 29 games to date, having been hampered by injury and managing just 7 games in his first 2 years. But his 2024 season is the cause for unbridled optimism at the Kennel and it is not a stretch to suggest that he will be the dominant big man in the competition by seasons end. He kicked 38 goals, took the 3rd most contested marks in the competition and had a breakout 7 goal game in Round 24 against North Melbourne. With every game he becomes a more imposing figure, and his ability to mark the ball in dangerous parts of the ground, against quality opposition sets him up as the Bulldogs most dangerous proposition. The other impressive aspect of his game is his unconditional willingness to compete, both in the air and at ground level, which is not always a given for players of his size. He is extremely well respected at the Dogs and shapes as a genuine leadership option in the post Bontempelli era.

Which takes us, now, to the original question, who are you taking? Do you go with the proven quality in Daicos, who has already elevated himself to the top of the tree, and gives every indication that by the end of his career he may be one of the greatest of the modern era?

That man again, Nick Daicos 🔥#AFLPiesLionspic.twitter.com/wzB3KDbucH

— AFL (@AFL) August 17, 2024

Or do you accept that Darcy may not reach such rarefied air, but he may yet redefine the art of key position forward line play, while also capable of dominating in the ruck. If you had a hybrid, goal kicking Paul Salmon/rucking Max Gawn at your disposal, how do you put a price on that?

I surveyed 6 of my most respected football colleagues to gauge their response, and why;

● “Nick Daicos, just on the trends that emerge during finals time, where the ground ball becomes king.”

● “Nick Daicos, the game is trending towards the most effective ball users, and there are few better.”

● “Sam Darcy, not as many of them around, Joe Daniher was the most influential and impactful finals player, for his ability to play both key forward and ruck. Darcy is that man.”

● “Nick Daicos, the game revolves around the midfield stars. There’s different ways to construct a forward line, without the absolute singular star.”

● “Nick Daicos, even his quiet games has him among the best 12 or so players on the ground. And the ball is on the ground more these days.”

● “Nick Daicos, great midfielder influences the game more than a key forward. It’s easier to free up a midfielder than get a key fwd free.”

I suspect that this would be reflective of most football lovers. How could you go past Nick Daicos? For now, I agree. The sheer volume of football that he amasses is one thing, but what he is able to do with it is what takes my breath away. There have been few players in my time that sum up situations quicker, commit to a course of action, and then execute with such devastating effect.

Nick Daicos after being crowned the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year in 2024.

Sam Darcy has kicked 42 goals in 29 games for the Bulldogs.

But Sam Darcy might just be something truly special. The way the modern game is played is one of the things that has me leaning towards Daicos. If the key forward role was played more traditionally, where Darcy’s abilities would be isolated at every opportunity and football was funnelled through him, then his dominance would potentially be more profound. Instead, he will be required to exit his rightful domain, the forward 50, and set up on the wing, or as part of some full ground defence, which will have him running back into the forward arc, more than it will have him leading up to the ball. It is a tough grind for a 208cm, marking giant.

So, the bragging rights remain with Louie Richards for now. Could you imagine how excited he would be to call another Daicos ripping it not shreds for his beloved Magpies? But Sam Darcy would be a Jack Dyer favourite, of that I am certain.

30 + possessions for Nick, 3+ goals and 8 marks for Sam?

Take your pick.