Craig McRae has proclaimed he will tell his grandkids he coached Nick Daicos after the AFL superstar’s extraordinary second quarter helped inspire Collingwood to pinch a one-point win over the wasteful Brisbane Lions.
The Magpies’ AFL premiership defence remains alive after they pulled off a trademark heist with the final three goals of the match at the MCG to inflict more pain on the Lions, who they pipped by four points in last year’s epic grand final.
Unlike the 2023 decider, Collingwood never looked like winning as Brisbane led all game, until Beau McCreery snapped the match-winner at the 29-minute mark of the final quarter.
Once they got in front, the Magpies’ nous in tight games won out as they prevailed 11.13 (79) to 11.12 (78) in front of 61,218 fans.
Oft-maligned recruit Lachie Schultz also stepped up late with two crucial goals, before McCreery slotted the match-winner.
The Lions exploded out of the blocks with the first four goals of the match to lead by as much as 31 points late in the first quarter.
But Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos produced one of the all-time great quarters to boot two goals and gather 13 possessions in the second term to lift the Magpies back in the contest.
“Wow, I think I’ll tell my grandkids I coached Nick Daicos,” Magpies coach McRae said.
“That’s going to be one of the great stories when I’m older. What a player.
“It’s just nice to see someone impose himself on the game.
“We’re all on the bench, not laughing, but just going, ‘wow!’. We’re all in awe.
“We’ve got front-row seats to the Nick Show, and he’s a remarkable player.”
The Magpies can still finish in the top eight should they beat Melbourne on Friday night, and other results fall their way on Sunday and next weekend.
Brisbane were made to pay for blowing a number of gettable chances during the third quarter through Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey and Will Ashcroft to leave Collingwood just 14 points behind at the final break.
Be the first to comment