Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos reveals the tragedy that befell his family on Christmas Day 2021 – with another sad death a year later
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos talks about the tragedy that befell his family on Christmas Day two years ago.
Just months before making his AFL debut, the Magpies defenseman and his older brother and teammate Josh lost their aunt.
“Going into my freshman year, Christmas Day, we lost my aunt [after] a fight against cancer, which was terrible for us,” Daicos told former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley on Fox Sports.
“It was a really tough time. Christmas Day was spent in the hospital.’
Earlier this year, the Daicos brothers mourned the loss of their grandfather, who died just days before Collingwood’s Round 1 clash against reigning prime ministers Geelong.
Nick Daicos is candid about the tragedy that befell his family on Christmas Day in 2021
Nick (second from left) and his brother Josh (third from left) lost their aunt on Christmas Day in 2021 and their grandfather ahead of Round 1 this season
“Unfortunately I lost my dedo – my grandpa – on the eve of round 1,” he said.
‘[It was] Pretty heavy, but it does make you realize that footy is only a small part of your life and there’s so much more going on.
“You want to do well in footy, but make sure family is okay first.”
Daicos and his brother distributed a memento of their grandfather’s funeral at the MCG right after defeating the Cats.
The 20-year-old took off his boot, grabbed something he’d put inside and kissed his hand before kneeling down to touch the turf at the MCG.
Moments later, his older brother Josh followed suit.
At first it looked like the Daicos brothers had played with their grandfather’s ashes in their socks, but Nick later revealed that they were rose petals from the funeral instead.
“Tonight’s game was in his honor for us,” Nick said at the time.
His older brother added: ‘It’s been a really tough week for the family. It’s been really tough for us, but tonight [the win] made it all worth it.”
The moving scenes continued in the Magpies sheds as Peter Daicos, the siblings’ father – and a big club member himself – hugged the players and reflected on what had been an emotional week for the family.
Josh and his brother Nick scattered their grandfather’s ashes on the MCG turf after the Magpies defeated Geelong in Round 1
“When their mom and dad watch that, they should be absolutely proud of them – not just for the players they are, but for the young men they’ve become,” Buckley said on Fox Footy after the game.
As a fitting tribute to their late grandfather, the Daicos brothers both played excellent games, with Josh amassing 27 possessions and Nick recording 35 disposals as he had a hand on nine of the Pies’ goals.
Speaking to Buckley, Daicos also thanked Collingwood for the support they gave him and his brother during a testing time for the pair.
“We got through that and we just got back with family and I think even the club here has created a great culture where we put our arms around each other and are always there for each other, encouraging each other to be vulnerable and open up. to stand. he explained.