Nick Daicos breaks 26-year-old Nathan Buckley record, makes history in AFL masterclass

Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos just keeps getting better shattering longstanding several records in Friday night’s AFL clash.

Nick Daicos broke one of Nathan Buckley's longstanding records.

It’s Nick Daicos’ world and we’re living in it.

The Collingwood young gun set all sorts of club and AFL records in his side’s 18-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

Daicos and Jack Crisp were Collingwood’s best by far and they almost managed to drag the injury ravaged Magpies over the line.

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But a vintage Marcus Bontempelli masterclass (38 disposals, two goals) helped the Dogs surge in the final quarter, kicking five goals to none to seal a crucial 15.10 (100) to 12.10 (82) win.

Daicos was in scintillating touch in the first three quarters in particular and finished with 32 disposals and two goals.

He was particularly impressive in tight contests, racking up 16 clearances and 27 contested possessions for the game.

The 21-year-old broke club records in both statistical categories, surpassing Nathan Buckley’s previous mark of 15 clearances set way back in 1998.

Nick Daicos broke one of Nathan Buckley's longstanding records.

Daicos’ 27 contested touches also bettered Steele Sidebottom’s record of 26 set in 2018.

The records didn’t end there. Daicos also became the fastest player in V/AFL history to record 30 disposals against all 17 other clubs, reaching the milestone in just 59 games.

SportsbyFry wrote on X: “Video game numbers from Nick Daicos last night.”

Stats guru Swamp tweeted: “There have been 12 prior instances since 1999 of players with 22+ contested possessions, 13+ clearances & 2+ goals in an @AFL game Nick Daicos has that to 3QT.”

Daicos did find himself involved in some controversial moments during the game.

He somehow escaped a holding the ball free kick despite the umpires cracking down on the rule, and copped an elbow from Taylor Duryea, which will likely see the Bulldogs defender handed a fine.

It was an epic battle between the Bont and Daicos. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Pies youngster is on fire. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

But despite the recordbreaking feats, Bontempelli put the clamps on Daicos in the last quarter as the Dogs skipper racked up 14 disposals, four tackles, five clearances and a goal in the final term.

Bulldogs forward Sam Darcy kicked the match-sealing goal from the pocket — not that his dad Luke Darcy looked all that impressed — but could come scrutiny for an ugly collision with Brayden Maynard.

After a slow start to the season by his standards, Daicos has hit his straps and will be a contender for the Brownlow Medal again if he stays on the park and continues his strong form.

The Pies will need him to be at his best too. The reigning premiers are eighth (6 wins, 4 losses, 2 draws) and could fall out of the top eight if Fremantle or Gold Coast win their games this weekend.

The Magpies headed into the game with a ravaged midfield, that was missing Scott Pendlebury (arm), Jordan De Goey (abdomen) and Tom Mitchell (foot), and a depleted forward line without Brody Mihocek (hamstring), Jamie Elliott (vascular), Mason Cox (concussion/knee), Will Hoskin-Elliott (hamstring), Joe Richards (foot), Reef McInnes (concussion) and Dan McStay (knee).

Originally published as Nick Daicos breaks 26-year-old Nathan Buckley record, makes history in AFL masterclass