Nick Daicos on track to return for Magpies preliminary final

Collingwood’s ace player, Nick Daicos, is on track for a return after a six-week hiatus, just in time for a preliminary final, after the Brownlow Medal fancy trained strongly on Thursday.

Nick’s older brother Josh, also confirmed skipper Darcy Moore’s wrist was in plaster because of an ongoing tendon injury he had been managing, with there no doubt about his availability.

The Magpies believe Nick Daicos would have been fit this weekend, if they lost their first final, but with the extra week off he will now be cherry ripe for a return against either GWS or Port Adelaide at the MCG.

Despite missing several rounds of the AFL home and away season, Daicos remains the $2.80 favourite to win the Brownlow Medal, remarkably in just his second.

“He is actually pumped to be back running … I think he really took for granted just how good it is to be healthy and be a part of the group,” Josh Daicos said.

“He has done everything possible to put himself in the position to play so hopefully, fingers-crossed, he’s playing next week.”

The Magpies face a selection squeeze for the preliminary final, showcased by them dropping John Noble for the first final, after playing over 80 successive games for the club.

But the sublime Daicos is an automatic selection if fit, and his brother said the club was happy with what they had seen.

“It has definitely been tough for him, he loves being a part of the group … he is doing everything possible and he’s running really strong at the moment,” he said.

The Collingwood camp is also breathing a sigh of relief as defender Brayden Maynard was absolved of a rough conduct charge stemming from a contentious encounter that saw Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw knocked out during their qualifying final.

“First and foremost our thoughts were always with Angus and obviously it’s not nice to see, especially with his history (of concussions) so we’re wishing him a speedy recovery,” Daicos said.

“We know that Brayden is a really fair player and we were quite happy with the decision, knowing his intentions are always pure.”

Collingwood is the $2.50 favourite to with the AFL premiership, ahead of the Brisbane Lions who are as long as $3.50 with some online bookmakers.

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