After a disastrous 2021 season for Collingwood, on all fronts, the future is starting to look bright.
The looming arrival of Nick Daicos is sure to have Magpies fans excited, with the teenage sensation seen as one of the top talents in this year's pool.
Daicos will continue a family legacy, with his father Peter, a Pies legend, playing 250 games and kicking 549 goals. His older brother Josh joined the Holden Centre in 2016 and has played 52 games thus far.
The 18-year-old comes into the draft as one of the most well-rounded midfielders, and put on stellar performances in the NAB League, despite limited exposure.
Daicos averaged 35.8 disposals, 5.8 marks and two goals in his five games , averages that stack up with former No.1 picks Sam Walsh and Matt Rowell.
He also played a dominant game for Vic Metro, with 41 disposals and two goals against Vic Country.
An accumulator that finds the ball all over the ground and can impact the scoreboard, Daicos will likely fit straight into an ageing black and white midfield.
An engine room that was missing Adam Treloar would benefit exponentially, especially with veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom potentially moving out of the middle.
However, Daicos could spend some time forward in his early days.
It is likely a bid will come with the first three selections of this month's National Draft, which would cost the Pies around 2000 points and most of their selections.
Team: Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Midfield
Height: 183cm
Weight: 72kg
Ball Winning Ability
Endurance
Decision Making
Long kick
Defensive attributes
Strength
1-4
Collingwood (matched bid)
"The midfielder is clearly one of the best prospects to come through the draft in recent years: a prolific ball-winner, perhaps his greatest strength is his capacity to make good decisions, execute his plans and impact games. Not only can he accumulate, he can hurt and he's fun to watch when he squeezes past opponents and pulls out tricks nobody can match. Is equally driven and determined as he is talented." - Callum Twomey