Former Collingwood assistant coach Brenton Sanderson has heaped praise on first-year Pie Nick Daicos, saying he’s walked into the club as an “instant A-grader”.
The father-son recruit has long been touted as a genuine star and has hardly missed a beat in his first season at AFL level, averaging just under 27 touches playing across half back in his first four games.
Sanderson, who worked at the Pies as an assistant between 2016 and 2021, said Daicos was doing things at Collingwood very few have in its long history.
“I’m seeing a lot of class and an instant A-grader,” he said on SEN's Whateley.
“He’s been so influential for Collingwood this year and when you combine him and (Pat) Lipinski, those two are averaging 50 disposals between them in the first two rounds.
“Nick Daicos has had the most touches for Collingwood in the first four rounds, which is incredible for a rookie.
“We did hear a lot about this young man in the last three or four seasons and all the talk and excitement is spot on.
“He takes Collingwood forward, he’s a great decision maker, he has an element of class that we haven’t seen across Collingwood’s high half back line for a few years.
“He is certainly an impressive young man.”
Collingwood has made an impressive start to the season under new coach Craig McRae, winning two games and were unlucky not to beat Geelong after holding a 37-point lead.
Daicos is a contender for this year's MEGT Rookie of the Year
