Collingwood's Daicos Gamble Could Haunt Them Against Fremantle
Jackson Barrett, The West Australian's Sports Editor, analyzes the key stories from the latest AFL round in his column, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. This week, the spotlight falls on Collingwood's questionable handling of star player Nick Daicos, which could prove costly in their upcoming clash with Fremantle.
The Good - Luke Parker's Positional Masterstroke
Luke Parker's transition to a half-back role has emerged as one of the standout positional moves of the season. The Sydney premiership player, who previously reinvented himself as a goal-kicking half-forward after joining North Melbourne, has now excelled under coach Alastair Clarkson's guidance. In North Melbourne's thrilling comeback win over Carlton on Good Friday, Parker capitalized on being the spare player behind the ball, delivering crucial touches in the final quarter to drive his team forward. He finished with 20 disposals, including 12 kicks and six score involvements from the back-half, showcasing his versatility and impact.
The Bad - Collingwood's Handling of Nick Daicos
Collingwood's decision to send Nick Daicos to Brisbane, only for coach Craig McRae to later declare him unlikely to play due to a calf strain, has raised eyebrows. Daicos was pulled out minutes before the bounce, with no signs from the warm-up suggesting he was fit. This mismanagement leaves him in doubt for the crucial Gather Round clash against Fremantle on Friday night. The Magpies struggled without him, lacking a clear midfield replacement, especially with Scott Pendlebury also sidelined. This oversight could hand Fremantle a significant advantage, potentially haunting Collingwood in a tight contest.
The Ugly - West Coast's Midfield Collapse
West Coast's 128-point defeat to Sydney on Saturday night was a stark reminder of their vulnerabilities. The loss dampened the optimism surrounding the Eagles, raising concerns for upcoming matches against Geelong and Fremantle. A glaring issue was the absence of suspended midfielder Deven Robertson, who has played only three games for the club but left a massive hole in the midfield. West Coast was embarrassingly beaten in the contest, with a clearance count of 41 to 28 and poor post-clearance work allowing Sydney to attack with minimal pressure. No West Coast player laid more than four tackles, and key players like Jack Graham underperformed, highlighting the need for experienced players to step up in Robertson and Elliot Yeo's absence.
