Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers have contingencies to try and slow down Collingwood’s Nick Daicos in Friday’s blockbuster at the MCG.
Daicos has started the season in flying fashion for the Magpies, ranking second in disposals, first in effective disposals, fourth in metres gained and third in score involvements competition wide.
After Port Adelaide tried, and failed, to tag the 20-year-old as he collected 32 disposals and kicked two goals in Collingwood’s dominant Round 2 win, Hardwick says the Tigers may try and exploit the half back the other way if he chooses to play off his opponent.
“Good question, we’ll have a vote, any thoughts (laughs)?” Hardwick asked reporters.
“Well, he's a very good player, but Collingwood have got a lot of very good players to be honest, so we generally rely on the system to take care of it.
“But look, we'll have contingencies and try and manage him as best we can.
“He's going to get the ball, no question, so, do we allow him to play his game and try and manage it and try and exploit him the other way? Probably.
“So, a lot of sides have tried but not many have succeeded, so we’re one of those that will give it a crack.”
After being astonished by Daicos in his first season which he described as the best he’s seen, Hardwick was stunned that the young Pie seems to have gotten better in in 2023 as he compared his early impact to that of a young Chris Judd’s.
“Probably the only one I think was back when I played Chris Judd came in with the same sort of pedigree," Hardwick recalled.
“He played against us when I was playing at Port and kicked four (goals) in a game, destroyed us.
“He’s been incredible, I don't think I've seen a better first year from any player to be fair.
“And then you think, surely he couldn't back it up, but he seems to have got better again, hasn’t he.”
Hardwick and the Tigers will hope to halt the Magpies’ run of good form when they face off at the MCG on Friday night at 7:50 pm.