By Shayne Hope
Nick Daicos has produced another stunning individual performance as Collingwood kept their troubled premiership defence alive.
Keen to make amends after a four-match losing streak Collingwood had a strong start and were never headed in a 26-point win over Richmond at the MCG.
Nick Daicos Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Brownlow Medal contender tallied an equal career-high 42 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and 12 clearances as the best player on the ground.
Collingwood’s win lifted their record to 9-8-2 and kept them within reach of the top-eight ahead of a tough run home, with games against Carlton, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Coach Craig McRae said his side had been more reliable and predictable this week.
“There’s a lot of things that were much improved it was a step forward, no doubting that, not just because of scoreboard but because of effort,” he said.
“We are not shying away from wanting to be a better version of ourselves.”
McRae praised Daicos for helping show the way.
“He’s a remarkable young man who has this ability to know what we need when we need it.”
Daicos led a strong midfield alongside Scott Pendlebury (22 disposals), Josh Daicos (32), John Noble (21) and Jack Bytel (25).
Pendlebury was a tactical substitution at three-quarter time ahead of his 400th AFL game against the Blues next week, being replaced by Lachie Sullivan.
Daniel Rioli evades Steele Sidebottom.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Dan McStay kicked three goals in his second game back from injury, with Lachie Schultz, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Bobby Hill also snaring multiple majors.
Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox comprehensively won their duel with an inexperienced Richmond ruck division led by Samson Ryan.
The last-placed Tigers lost Tim Taranto to a back injury in the third term and were well beaten in a sixth consecutive defeat.
Jayden Short (25 disposals), Nick Vlastuin (23), Daniel Rioli (25) and Nathan Broad (26) never stopped trying.
The victory keeps Collingwood’s faint hopes alive.Credit: Getty Images
There was star power missing from both sides after close friends Jordan De Goey (groin) and Dustin Martin (back) were ruled out in the days leading up to the clash.
McRae said De Goey had been battling soreness and they were hoping the break could help him ahead of next week.
Daicos stepped into the breach with a personal best 18 disposals, 10 contested possessions, seven score involvements and five clearances in a dominant opening term.
Collingwood’s superior ball movement and efficiency in attack led to a 6.2 to 2.2 advantage at quarter-time.
That grew marginally during the second quarter before the Magpies took complete control after the main break, posting the first three goals of the third term.
Richmond used Liam Baker, briefly, and young forward Seth Campbell on Daicos, slowing the prolific midfielder a little.
But the Pies’ playmaker still had an influence as Collingwood finished off a strong performance.