Fremantle won't make the same mistake as their rivals.
Ahead of a Friday night date with the Magpies at home, Dockers head coach Justin Longmuir has declared that the Dockers will send someone to quell the influence of Collingwood star Nick Daicos.
The 21-year-old has been superb in getting the Pies back on track after a 0-3 start following a record-equalling 16th premiership flag in 2023, especially since becoming a permanent feature in the midfield as Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell battle injuries.
Daicos is averaging 31.5 possessions, 6.3 clearances, 4.1 tackles and 7.3 scone involvements in career-best returns, despite only playing 57 games to date.
However, in the past three weeks, the son-of-a-gun has taken his game to another level, (surprising, isn't it?), being the main man in the centre.
The second most clearances ever by a Collingwood player (14), and one shy of Nathan Buckley's record ๐
Nick Daicos was at his very best on Saturday with 41 disposals and 22 contested possessions: pic.twitter.com/KwEBuUgmrf
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 19, 2024
Coaches from Carlton, West Coast and Adelaide have recognised Daicos' stellar form while his own mentor, Craig McRae, has rewarded him with maximum votes in his weekly share of AFL Coaches Association's Champion Player Award, lifting him to third place alongside Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong.
Longmuir won't be falling for the same mistakes, saying the club is in the process of putting extra pressure on the No.35.
"Still working our way through that but we can't let him run around and get 40 possessions and dominate the game," Longmuir said onย Channel 7.
"We need to make sure we quell his influence, which we're still working through how to do.
"We're really mindful that their other mids like Jack Crisp and Scott Pendlebury also really damaging as well so we need to find a balance as well of our method there."
Hayden Young's name immediately comes to mind for the Daicos job given some experience in the role.
Last year, Young was sent to 2016 Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield and was successful in his efforts, limiting the Geelong champ to 16 possessions and three clearances.
On the other end, the then 22-year-old has 19 disposals and three clearances.
The First Crack panel take a look at the Young ๐ Dangerfield battle on Saturday. #foreverfreo @FOXFOOTY pic.twitter.com/cMYp2v8zG5
— Walyalup Football Club (@freodockers) July 31, 2023
Former Collingwood defender and utility James Aish has previously been given tasks of a similar nature.
Aish - who crossed from the AIA Centre to Western Australia at the end of 2020 - has proven versatility and smarts when it comes to an assignment of tagging, which can be useful when interrupting Daicos.
Longmuir also said that if ruckman Sean Darcy gets through training this week, he'll be available to combat the Darcy Cameron-Mason Cox combination.
"He's getting closer," Longmuir said.
"He ticked a massive box in main training today and got through. Performed really well.
"If he pulls up well tomorrow, all systems go for Friday."
As for Collingwood, their injury news has worsened from the weekend's win over Adelaide, with Jordan De Goey (abdominal), Will Hoskin-Elliot (hamstring) and Reef McInnes (concussion) all withdrawn from Round 11.
This mountain of injuries has opened the door for local boy Ed Allan to debut alongside former Big Bash League cricketer Wil Parker on Friday night.
McRae is also likely to recall premiership forwards Beau McCreery and Brody Mihocek in a huge boost for the black and white.
Daicos and his teammates will face the Dockers at Optus Stadium on Friday night.
