‘It’s been really tough’: Daicos brothers pay respects in ‘beautiful’ post-match tribute

Collingwood brothers Josh and Nick Daicos gave a touching post-match tribute to a late family member on the MCG turf.

Catherine Healey

2 min read

March 18, 2023 - 12:17PM

The Daicos brothers took part in beautiful post-match scenes in tribute to their late grandfather.

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Collingwood brothers Josh and Nick Daicos have opened up on their “beautiful” post-match tribute to their late grandfather, revealing they left rose petals on the MCG turf.

AFL great Peter Daicos lost his father during the week, with the funeral held on Thursday.

Sons Nick and Josh were able to overcome the emotional time for the family to help steer the Magpies to a 22-point Round 1 win over Geelong on Friday night.

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Cameras filmed the duo post-game as they removed their playing boots in the centre of the field, before kissing the rose petals that fell from their shoes.

“Unfortunately we had the passing of our Dad’s dad yesterday so it’s been a really tough week for the family,” Josh Daicos told Fox Footy.

“It’s been really tough for us but tonight made it all worth it.”

Josh and Nick Daicos pay respect to their grandfather who passed away this week â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/3Hh97R2hu3
— AFL (@AFL) March 17, 2023

Brother Nick added the duo got through an “emotional day” on Thursday before arriving at the MCG for Friday night’s clash with the Cats.

“Tonight’s game was in honour of him for us,” he said.

Vision from inside the Collingwood rooms showed emotional dad Peter hugging and kissing his sons post-win, while also embracing players including Scott Pendlebury, Jordan de Goey and Will Hoskin-Elliott.

“That was for my dad. That was for my dad, mate,” Peter told Channel 7, touching his heart.

Nick Daicos places a rose petal on the MCG turf in honour of his late grandfather. Photo: Ch 7

Nick Daicos also performed the touching tribute. Photo: Ch 7.

The duo quickly won praise for their actions from Fox Footy panellists Garry Lyn, Jordan Lewis, Nathan Buckley and Jonathan Brown.

“To not only deal with the passing of their grandfather and the emotion attached to that, the funeral yesterday. They would have been mentally and physically drained,” Lewis said.

“To come out and still play, put that to one side, it’s great to see.”

“It’s really tough to do,” Brown added.

Buckley said the Daicos boys were an inspiration.

“When their mum and dad look at that, they must be absolutely proud of them - not just for the players that they are, but the young men that they’ve become,” he said.

The Daicos brothers were two of Collingwood’s best in their upset win over the Cats, with Nick shrugging off any fears of second-year blues to rack up 35 disposals, nine score involvements, five intercepts and five inside 50s.

Older brother Josh finished with 27 touches, five clearances and six inside 50s.