New vision exposes truth as fans get it wrong on ‘pathetic’ Daicos act
Footy fans exploded after Nick Daicos appeared to flop for another free kick, but a second camera angle shed new light on the incident.
We may have to give Nick Daicos the benefit of the doubt this time - even if you feel like he doesn’t deserve it.
The star Collingwood midfielder seems to be testing the patience of opposition fans every week with his ability to instigate scuffles and emerge with a free kick himself.
It appeared to happen again on Friday night when Daicos riled up the Melbourne Demons with an attempt to be physical with Ed Langdon during Collingwood’s 11.16 (82) to 11.10 (76) win.
After tackling Langdon over the boundary line - a tackle that could have been called high - Daicos continued to drive his legs forward and rolled his body over the top of his opponent.
You can watch the incident in the video player above
The unnecessary act drew remonstration from several Demons players - and to the frustration of fans from 17 clubs it was Daicos who was rewarded when he was pushed by Jai Culley and fell to the ground.
“Nick Daicos think it’s a good time, with the ball over the line, just to remind (Langdon) he can get involved in the rough-and-tumble with that innocent look on his face,” Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson observed. “And then draw a free kick as well! Well, that’s perfect.”
Convinced Daicos had sucked in another umpire, footy fans exploded on social media.
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“Nick Daicos needs to actually cop one to the head. It’s about time (he) actually cops something worthy of acting like that. None of the greats flop like this, which is why he will never be one,” one wrote.
“Daicos is a protected species,” wrote another.
“That’s pathetic staging and even worse ,” added another. “He’s too good a player to be doing that stuff to win cheap free.”
But the Collingwood army doesn’t just defend its own inside the MCG.
It wasn’t long before Magpie supporters uncovered a different angle of the incident - and exposed Langdon as a culprit.
As he and Daicos rose to their feet, the Demons veteran kept hold of his rival’s foot, causing him to lose balance when Culley applied his shove.
Langon’s culpability appeared to be confirmed as the field umpire pointed in his direction after blowing the whistle, which on first glance seemed odd given it was Culley who delivered the push.
Collingwood’s narrow escape from what would have been a disastrous loss to Melbourne came at a cost but - after Gold Coast was upset by Port Adelaide - was enough to cement a spot inside the top four.
The Magpies captured a glimmer of their best - and the best of superstar Jordan De Goey in a time of desperate need.
The Pies were floundering when Melbourne went 15 points up early in the final quarter but, as they’ve done routinely under Craig McRae, they flicked the comeback king switch.
It was led by De Goey and classy veteran Scott Pendlebury who lifted right as the occasion demanded.
De Goey was as subtle as a sledgehammer in the contest, rediscovering a power and polish Collingwood was void off for much of the night.
He finished with 26 disposals, an equal game-high six clearances, six inside 50s, eight score involvements and a crucial goal.
Pendlebury, meanwhile, was more composure than collection. He was cool under the heat of finals like pressure as he repelled the Demons’ forays forward.
De Goey and Pendlebury were well supported by the Daicos brothers while Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca were Melbourne’s best.
As one injury-troubled Magpie revived his best, another was dealt a cruel blow.
Collingwood defender Jeremy Howe was substituted out of the game during the second quarter with a groin issue.
Friday night’s clash was Howe’s first game back after his heavy collision with Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe a fortnight ago.
The high-flyer has been crucial to the Collingwood defensive unit this year and will be sorely missed if he is to be sidelined for the finals.
Collingwood has won just two of eight games Howe has missed or been substituted ahead of the main break this year and 14 of 15 when he has played.
Beau McCreery also spent almost the entire third quarter on the interchange and in the rooms but returned to play a role in the fourth quarter.
- with NewsWire’s Tyler Lewis
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