Nick Daicos on family, fame, and finding his happy place as Pies hunt back-to-back flags
Ahead of his 50th AFL game, budding superstar Nick Daicos reveals the price of fame and how he has learned to embrace being idolised by football fans.
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In a football-mad town where everyone knows his name and his face, Nick Daicos still has his secret spot to escape.
He was there on Grand Final morning in the calm before the storm, deep in his own thoughts before a contest that only elevated his fame and fortune.
As his celebrity explodes, he will need to rely on moments like these even more. For Daicos, it is the sound and smell of the ocean that allows him to escape from the chaos of a football season. It is the 21-year-old’s happy place.
“100 per cent, I love going to the ocean. I think that’s very important for me. I just feel so present when I am in the ocean. It’s what I did on Grand Final morning,” Daicos said this week. “It just helps lock me in and focus and – at the same time – it also helps me relax. I am just thinking, usually. I just find it so relaxing.”
In every way Daicos is living his football dream – AFL star, premiership player, well-paid, long-term deal to 2029.
And yet as he continues his third AFL season tonight at the MCG against Sydney, that fame is a double-edged sword – and one that requires him to find those pockets of relief.
The exposure allows him to profit from partnerships with NAB Auskick, Nike, Monster Energy and sleep-tracking app Whoop also means he will have to protect his privacy more than ever before.
How does he agree to every selfie with every kid that asks as a ubiquitous AFL star while still carving out time for himself?
“It’s definitely something that is hard to learn to deal with. It’s been a huge honour for me that I can walk down the street and someone can ask me for a photo. I used to be that kid, that person who would go up to a footballer I idolise and ask them for a photo. So I always hold onto that,” Daicos said.
“And then by the same token... How do I word it? Sometimes you want a little privacy. But the main thing I ask is that everyone is respectful and polite when they ask for a photo. I would like to think I give everyone the time of day.
“I think I am definitely more of a homebody these days. I love being home and (with) my family. I’ve got a girlfriend too. So I spend a lot of time with them and whether that’s attributed to a little bit of footy (and fame), I’m not too sure. I love sitting on the couch watching my footy and just chilling with the people I love most. That’s sort of where I find my happiness. And yeah, probably I’m a bit more withdrawn these days.”
FUELLING THE HUNGER
Daicos has seen the narrative about Collingwood complacency and has pledged to use people suggesting Friday’s premiership flag unfurling is a distraction as “fuel” to prove them wrong.
He strikes a perfect balance between allowing the critics their opinion while emphatically stating why he believes they are wrong.
“We are a hungry group, for sure. Pretty quickly a couple of weeks after the season we were getting groups together and training again unofficially. The boys just wanted to be around each other doing what we love most. So a lot of boys have run PBs and done the same in the gym. The statistics don’t lie that the boys are physically fit and that will show across the season.”
Did he search for those signs of complacency among his peers across summer?
“Absolutely. But it’s a great sign when the older boys are putting in the group chat: ‘Training here, tomorrow morning, who wants to come?’ And you have all the younger boys coming. It’s what we love so it never feels like a chore. It’s a special environment to be a part of.”
CONTRACT TALKS & GREAT MATES
Daicos is locked away until 2029, having added four seasons to a deal that already had him secured at Collingwood until 2025.
Those last four seasons are understood to have been worth around $1.1 million a year, presumably with CBA rises locked in.
Father Peter said last year it was important that he took a little less than full tote odds to help keep the Collingwood list together, and Nick agrees with that team-first attitude.
“Yeah, I was super-proud to sign a long-term contract this year. And that was a lifelong dream for me. And it was awesome to do it among a few boys. I know (brother) Josh re-signed during the same time. So it was awesome to share that (with him). And I think at the club, we’ve got a great team first mentality. So that’s what we know is our secret to success. Team first, and all players want to continue that.”
In opening round, he ran out with great mate and opening round Pies substitute John Noble, thrilled his friend had worked his way back into the team.
Noble was dropped for the qualifying final and never got his spot back, but for Daicos what makes Collingwood great is the way in which individual disappointments are swallowed for team success.
“He’s another one of my really close friends. I remember when he told me he got dropped. And it’s a super tough moment. When you hear you friend has been dropped for such a crucial game when he hadn’t been dropped for 80-odd games, it’s tough to see. And you could see the emotion in him.
“But it epitomises what we do in our club day to day. He was the biggest supporter of our team. For the players out there (on Grand Final day) never once has he held a grudge or any envy. So that’s a testament to him. He worked really hard to secure a spot for round zero and hopefully this week again.”
UNFURLING THE FLAG
Daicos is determined to enjoy the premiership flag unfurling pre-game after being part of the on-ground ceremony in early 2011.
He says the players and fans deserve it as the Pies bring their army along for the crowd.
It will bring back memories of those magical Grand Final memories - receiving his medal, hugging brother Josh on the final siren and being united with family post-match all stand out.
But make no mistake after a week of reviews and scrutiny and opinion - he will be ready come the first bounce.
“The fans have been a massive part of our story and we have brought them along, so it’s great to get back on the MCG where we had our most recent game. But as a team we are very good at locking in and making sure we are focused on the game at hand. So when that first ball is bounced, we will be ready to go.”
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