- Magpie’s young gun Nick Daicos is infuriating some footy fans
- Accused of milk contact with Western Bulldogs star Taylor Duryea
- Some footy supporters believe 21-year-old Daicos is often guilty of ‘staging’
Collingwood star Nick Daicos has been accused of play-acting by footy fans following an off-the-ball incident with Western Bulldogs defender Taylor Duryea.
Daicos, 21, was seen holding his jaw after the alleged contact – and when it was confirmed Duryea was being reported for striking, AFL identities such as Brian Taylor and Matthew Richardson felt a fine would be sufficient punishment.
Online footage shows the silky Magpies midfielder appearing to make the most of the contact at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Friday evening.
That was the clear verdict from supporters on social media, who accused the Collingwood premiership winner of ‘staging’ in an attempt to win free-kicks.
“And the Gold Logie too,” radio presenter Brian Peel posted in response to the vision.
Collingwood star Nick Daicos has been accused by angry footy fans of acting out to win free-kicks
It followed an off-the-ball incident involving Western Bulldogs defender Taylor Duryea (pictured) at Marvel Stadium on Friday evening
Another footy fan put bluntly: ‘the Golden Globe award for best actor goes to Nick ‘Princess’ Daicos. He should be reported for his pathetic actions.”
a third weighed in: 3 Brownlow points for [Daicos] after the best dive of the year.’
Duryea opted to remain quiet after the match – and there were some awkward scenes on Channel 7 as the veteran defender stood directly in the background in the sheds as commentators Mitch Cleary and Abbey Holmes discussed the Daicos clash.
Holmes finally asked Duryea about his thoughts, to which he joked: “I can’t comment, can I?”
It was a crucial win for the Bulldogs, who now sit in 10th place after an impressive team performance, especially in the final quarter against the usually fast-finishing Magpies, who were limited to just one deficit.
‘We didn’t restrain Nick [Daicos] early in the game, so in the third quarter we took a different approach and that was okay,” coach Luke Beveridge told reporters.
‘I also thought Marcus Bontempelli and Adam Treloar were hugely important for us when we were playing under fatigue in midfield.’
Inspiring skipper Bontempelli registered 38 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals to lead the way for the Bulldogs.
After the 18-point defeat, defending premier Collingwood could fall out of the top eight this weekend depending on other results.