David King is expecting Collingwood to contend again in 2023 after their stunning 2022 campaign.
One of the reasons King is bullish on the Magpies is the growth he expects the club to continue getting from their young players, particularly Rising Star winner Nick Daicos.
After having perhaps the best rookie campaign in competition history, King is certain Daicos will continue progressing after watching the young star train throughout the pre-season.
Having kept a close eye on the club’s training throughout the summer, King described Daicos as an “ultimate professional” that is a “standout” in every single drill Collingwood complete.
“I think they’re in for a big year the Pies,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“You talk about half back, at half-back last year they had the Rising Star Nick Daicos, he was terrific.
“Everyone talks about just numbers, but forget the numbers, first-year player coming in doing what he did, there were games where he demanded a tag as a first-year half-back flank.
“I just thought I’d go down and look at Collingwood train – there’s some players who train and some players who absolutely put it all on the line every single every session.
“He, I want you (Kane Cornes) to come across … I want you to come over and watch this kid train, he is the absolute ultimate professional.
“In every drill they do, he’s a standout, I don’t know if I’ve seen that.”
King compared Daicos to renowned trainer Sam Walsh and added that he thinks the son of a gun is an “absolute bolter” to win the Brownlow in just his second year at the level.
“We spoke about Sam Walsh at this stage last year and then he got injured right on the last couple of sessions of pre-season,” King said.
“This kid (Daicos), I think there’s more to him, and I made some statements, if they win 15 or so games this year Collingwood – he’ll be in the votes.
“He’s an absolute bolter for the umpires’ award. Can he play midfield, and can he play forward of centre? That’s the next progression.
“I don’t think we have to have the answers on that today and we don’t have that for six or eight weeks.
“We don’t know how Craig McRae is going to utilise this kid because what he did last year was pretty effective.
“You’ve got to see him train.”
Daicos, barring injury, will run out for his 26th AFL game when Collingwood face Geelong in Round 1 at the MCG on March 17.