Rivals ‘scouring’ Pies’ depth amid $10m Daicos deal details

As Collingwood explores the best way to structure Nick and Josh Daicos’ next contracts, a few fringe Magpies are in-demand. Plus Hawthorn’s bold play for an Eagle revealed.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - July 28, 2023. AFL . Nick Daicos of the Magpies during the round 20 match between Collingwood and Carlton at the MCG on July 28, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

Rival clubs are keeping close tabs on Collingwood’s depth players as the premiership favourites work out the best way to structure Nick and Josh Daicos’ next contracts, according to Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph.

Amid ample speculation over, in particular, Nick Daicos’ next deal, Ralph reported the star brothers seem set for big paydays.

“Collingwood is flying. The only real concern they have is how much they pay Josh and Nick Daicos for those deals in the next six years — probably $10 million combined or the better part thereof.

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“For Nick, he’s already contracted until 2025. My expectation is a deal from 2026 to 2029, likely about $1.1 million a year. Brother Josh is closing in on an All-Australian year, we told you last month a new deal was in the offing, so Collingwood is conscious of not rewarding Nick too much at the expense of Josh, probably a $750,000 player.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - July 28, 2023. AFL . Nick Daicos of the Magpies during the round 20 match between Collingwood and Carlton at the MCG on July 28, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

“Both contracts would figure in the new AFL pay deal and so it’s not out of the realms of possibility to say Nick would earn about $5 million over the four years to 2029.”

With the top-end of Collingwood’s list in good shape, Ralph reported “rival clubs are very much scouring the depth players” at the Magpies, with Finlay Macrae “at the head of the queue”.

“Collingwood football boss Graham Wright tells me it’s been really tough for the likes of Jack Ginnivan and Fin Macrae to remain in the VFL. They just can’t crack their way in,” Ralph said.

“There’s going to be a lot of players that are floating around but Ginnivan and Macrae (are) very much required players. I think Ginnivan will definitely stay and Macrae may be potentially on the move.”

Originally published as Rivals ‘scouring’ Pies’ depth amid $10m Daicos deal details