Nick Daicos finally ends 82-game drought with first contested mark of his career
It’s taken 82 games, but Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos has finally taken a contested mark.
The strange stat has become a talking point in recent times, with even teammates aware of it.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nick Daicos takes first ever contested mark.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.But the talk is officially dead, with Daicos achieving the stat in the opening minutes of Friday night’s clash against Hawthorn.
Veteran Steele Sidebottom collected a loose ball on the wing and cut back inside to spot up Daicos in the centre circle.
The gun midfielder had James Worpel on his hammer but stood tall to hold onto the mark that was officially recognised as contested.
The moment wasn’t lost on the Channel7 commentary team.
“That looked like a contested mark to me,” Richmond great Matthew Richardson said.
“I think it is, is that the numero uno?” James Braydshaw asked.
“I’m calling it, that had to be,” Richardson confidently replied.
Daicos was able to laugh about it after the Pies romped to a 51-point victory.
“I thought the crowd gave an extra cheer when I took it, but a few of the boys got to me at half-time, wondering if it was a contested mark, but a special night,” he said.
The 82 games narrowly beats Gold Coast midfield bull Matt Rowell, who took 84 games to take a contested mark.
Earlier in the season, brother Josh joked about Nick’s lack of contested marks.
After the Anzac Day game against Essendon, Josh was pretty happy to talk about it following his own electric performance that included 36 touches and, yes, two contested marks.
“We get into Nick sometimes trying to get him a contested mark,” Josh said on Fox Footy.
“When they saw me have two back-to-back (contested marks) they got around me which made me feel good.”
“You want Nick Daicos wherever you can get him and it’s good to have him up forward,” Quaynor told Channel 7 during the half-time break.
“He almost took his (first ever) contested mark.
“We’ve been trying to get him a contested mark all year, so it was close.”
The contested mark drought hasn’t appeared to bother Daicos at all.
The 22-year-old continues to dominate the competition and remains the Brownlow Medal favourite.
Already with a string of individual honours after just three seasons in the AFL, Daicos is destined to have one of the great AFL careers.
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
