AFL Round 17 Collingwood v North Melbourne: All the news, action and fallout from the MCG

Collingwood rookie sensation Nick Daicos wears No. 35 – but it’s not for the obvious reason. Tradition says he hands it over next year. Glenn McFarlane argues otherwise.

Nick Daicos with dad Peter and mum Colleen ahead of last year’s draft. Picture: Michael Klein

Nick Daicos was seven when Collingwood honoured one of the club’s most selfless individual acts by allocating the revered No.35 to the first player drafted each November.

His brother Josh was 12.

That late 2010 decision was not made to pay homage to their father, Peter Daicos, one of the Magpies’ favourite sons, though he made the No.35 a part of black and white legend.

Instead, it was a tribute to Simon Prestigiacomo, who withdrew from the 2010 Grand Final on the game’s eve after telling coach Mick Malthouse of a previously undisclosed injury.

It was a selfless sacrifice from a team-first defender who refused to let his teammates down. It may have cost Presti a premiership medal, but it won him eternal respect.

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Peter Daicos in the No. 35.

Son Nick in the same jumper in 2022. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Malthouse explained it by saying “that (first draftee) player will hold that jumper for 12 months and understand the history of it, and the responsibility of teamsmanship and professionalism displayed by Simon.”

The number has since launched the careers of Magpie stars including Jamie Elliott, Brodie Grundy, Jordan De Goey and last year Ollie Henry.

Josh Daicos was offered his dad’s number when taken as a father-son at pick 57, even though Sam McLarty was the club’s first chosen player that year.

Josh chose to make his own mark in No.26 before switching to No.7

But Nick always seemed comfortable in coveting the No.35 jumper his dad had worn in 250 games, from 1979 to 1993.

When Nick was taken as pick four last November – it would have been higher had he not already committed to Collingwood – he relished the prospect as much as the faithful did.

In his 15 AFL games so far, he has shown himself to be an exceptional talent and is now an unbackable Rising Star favourite.

Nick Daicos with dad Peter and mum Colleen ahead of last year’s draft. Picture: Michael Klein

Mick McGuane says he is already a star, like his old man was.

When interviewed last year, Nick said: “I’m really happy and honoured with the tradition at the club. I haven’t thought that far forward (about keeping No.35), hopefully I can keep it if the opportunity arises.”

Traditions, even relatively modern ones, provide lessons and honour those who came before us. But there are exceptions … and this is one of them.

Don’t forget for many years Collingwood captains used to wear No.1 until that changed.

Richmond tried to start a modern tradition earlier this century when Wayne Campbell and Kane Johnson switched to Jack Dyer’s No.17 when they were captain.

But when Trent Cotchin assumed the leadership in 2013, he refused to give up his No.9.

Presti’s act won’t ever be forgotten, but if Nick Daicos wants to keep No.35, he must be given that opportunity.

The Daicos family in 2003.

It is hard to think that any Collingwood fan – even Presti himself – would want Nick wearing anything other than No.35 in 2023 and beyond.

You can already see a growing army of kids - and a few mums and dads - wearing No.35 with pride and a sense of nostalgia, just as was the case when Peter wore it.

The fans want it; the players will understand it; the Pies’ 2022 first-round pick won’t care what number he gets; and the No.35 link to Collingwood will continue to grow.

When Nick’s career is over, the number can go back to an annual handover to the first draft pick each year … at least until the next generation of the Daicos family gets a chance.

Originally published as AFL Round 17 Collingwood v North Melbourne: All the news, action and fallout from the MCG