Kane Cornes slammed for ‘worst take of the year’ about Nick Daicos

Divisive AFL commentator Kane Cornes’ criticism of Collingwood star Nick Daicos has been slammed as his “worst take of the year”.

Kane Cornes’ criticism of Nick Daicos’ off-season has been described as the polarising AFL commentator’s “worst take of the year”.

Daicos had 21 disposals and was substituted out of the game in Collingwood’s 52-point Opening Round loss to GWS on the weekend, while his older brother Josh also had a down game.

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The Magpies star suffered severe cramping in his hamstring in the third quarter and was taken out of the game after getting massage treatment on the bench.

Criticising his inability to run out the first game of the season, Cornes claimed Daicos returning to pre-season two weeks after the rest of first-to-fourth-year players may have been a contributing factor in his performance against the Giants.

The Daicos brothers travelled to the US in November and attended NBA, NFL and UFC events.

“I want to take you back to Collingwood’s first day of pre-season,” Cornes said on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters.

“Collingwood’s last game was on the 23rd of August. Their first to fourth year players were due back on the 11th of November.

“There’s Nick Daicos with his brother pictured in New York on November 16,” Cornes said, showing a photo of the brothers at an NBA game.

Watch Kane Cornes’ Nick Daicos criticism in the video above

Josh (left) and Nick Daicos (right) with Josh Giddey (centre) at Madison Square Garden. Photo: Instagram.

Nick Daicos of the Magpies cramping during the loss to GWS. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He’s a fourth year player, entering his fourth year. Why is he not at training with his teammates on the first day of training. In fact, he didn’t go back to training until the 25th of November. That’s 80 days between when he was required back and his last game.”

Co-host Nick Riewoldt disagreed, replying: “Probably because he’s one of the most professional players in the game.”

Cornes hit back: “So he can take short cuts and rock up on day one, game one and not be prepared?

Riewoldt was having none of it and defended Daicos, who is renowned for being a hard trainer and well prepared player.

“But this is an anomaly, not a trend for Nick Daicos,” the St Kilda great said.

He told Cornes: “This might be your worst take of the year in Opening Round. You’ve gone early.”

David King said on SEN on Monday: “I just think it’s a reflection of being the 9th of March in 28 degree heat.

“There’s no more a professional package than Nick Daicos. I see this guy train the house down. He is the pin up boy for professionalism.”

It’s only one game but the demolition at the hands of the Giants made for grim viewing for Magpies fans and had many pundits ready to rule Collingwood out as premiership contenders.

The Pies recruited Harry Perryman, Dan Houston and Tim Membrey in the off-season but with 10 veterans aged over 30, the cliff could come quickly for Collingwood if they struggle this season.

Kane Cornes criticised Nick Daicos' offseason. Photo: Channel 7.

Nick Daicos was struggling with cramp. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

The Magpies were without Houston and Jordan De Goey against GWS, but if oppositions can tag Daicos to limit his influence, it might be difficult for them to win games.

While GWS’ exciting running power led by Finn Callaghan was a highlight from Sunday’s showdown, Kangaroos legend David King raised “alarm bells” on “the flip side of the coin” as Collingwood’s gun on-ballers were too easily picked apart.

“Have a look at the Collingwood midfielders and lack of speed and intent. The poor attitude to put the clamps on the Giants once they broke from stoppage. Alarm bells for me … where are they?” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

“I felt sorry for the Collingwood back six at times, that’s just way too easy.“Maybe we start to see the first signs of the lack of intent and lack of attitude to defend. Real concern for me.

“These guys are high level talent, so we’re not going to sit here on the back of four quarters of footy – one impacted by severe cramp. We’ll give them a mulligan on this one,” King said.“But they’re on high alert. If this is Collingwood in 2025, don’t worry about September.”

Collingwood take on Port Adelaide in Round 1 at the MCG on Saturday.