Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard has been blown away by Nick Daicos since the youngster was drafted just 15 months ago.
After putting together perhaps the best debut season in recent AFL memory, Maynard says the son-of-a-gun has been unbelievable in his second pre-season.
Having spent the majority of 2022 playing off half-back, Maynard says the younger Daicos sibling is demanding midfield minutes by how well he is training as he described his work ethic as the best he’s ever seen for such a young player.
“Obviously everyone knows this kid, but you can’t go past Nick Daicos,” Maynard said on the Dyl & Friends podcast.
“The way he’s come back in … he’s crazy, the way he’s training at the moment.
“He’s saying, ‘Put me in the midfield, put me in the midfield’, and you honestly just have to put him in the midfield.
“The way he trains and the way he goes about it for a second-year player is the best I’ve ever seen.
“He’s tough, he’s so skilful, he’s unbelievable to watch at training.
“That’s a good little rap for you, but he’s so professional, the way he hits the gym, the way he trains – I even went into the club on my day off today and I saw him and his brother (Josh) kicking and a mate practicing snap shots.
“They genuinely love it, and his brother Josh, they’re both killing it and they’re already jets and they’re going to be future leaders and legends of the club.”
Playing alongside his older brother Josh – who enjoyed a breakout 2022 season where he was named in the All-Australian squad – Maynard says the Daicos duo are constantly pushing each other to get better.
As well as the constant competition between the pair, Maynard believes a quirk the pair share has made them so skilful with the footy.
“There’s a lot of competition between them both,” Maynard said.
“They always are training, goalkicking comps, everything is a competition which is funny, and they always have a ball in their hands.
“That’s why I think they are so skilful, meetings, just walking around the club, they always have a ball in their hand.
“It’s quite amazing, but I guess that’s what you’ve got to do.”
Collingwood will continue to gear up for the season when they face Hawthorn in a practice match in Tasmania on Thursday ahead of their Round 1 clash against Geelong on March 17.
