The “absolute rarity” that has helped Collingwood create a significant gap with the rest of the league
David King believes the gap between Collingwood and the rest of the competition is now significant.
The Magpies defeated Fremantle by 46 points at the MCG on Saturday and as a result now sit one game clear on top of the AFL ladder.
Craig McRae’s side has the best defence and fifth best attack in the league in the wake of Round 18, and the way they are playing suggests to King that they are playing 'catch me if you can' with the rest of the league.
“The more I’m watching footy on the weekend, the more I’m thinking the competition has so much ground to make up on Collingwood that it’s not funny,” King said on SEN’s Whateley.
“I know we’ve still got time, there’s still time for teams to do it.
“But I think there is a significant gap.”
One of the main reasons for the form of the Pies in 2023 has been the continued emergence of Nick Daicos.
Last year’s Rising Star winner has taken his game to another level this season.
The 20-year-old ranks first in the AFL for total disposals and has excelled even further since being unleashed as a midfielder.
Daicos’ form suggests to King that he is doing what no other Rising Star has been able to - become arguably the best player in the competition the year after winning the Ron Evans Medal.
“It is amazing to think that last year’s Rising Star winner can be this good,” King added.
“You’ve got Luke Jackson. Was big in a Grand Final, but no one is considering him the top 10-20 in the competition, are they?
“Caleb Serong, Sam Walsh, Jaidyn Stephenson, Andrew McGrath, Callum Mills, none of them have been considered in the top 20.
“Sam Walsh for a period there was charging towards that bracket but has he got there?
“Jesse Hogan, Lewis Taylor, Jaeger O’Meara, Daniel Talia, Dyson Heppell, Dan Hannebery, Dan Rich - you can go back as far as you like.
“This is an absolute rarity what we’re seeing here. It is frightening what’s happening.
“Now we’re seeing him go into the midfield, this last four weeks he’s averaging 22 ratings points. That is Dustin Martin levels of 2017.
“That’s what we’re talking about. People always say, ‘Why do you keep talking about Daicos?’.
“Well, it’s hard not to, because every time I look at him he’s doing something in the game that’s just ridiculous.”
Collingwood’s supreme form even had King calling the premiership race over on Sunday night as the club tunes up for this coming weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with second-placed Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
“I think the premiership’s a cakewalk. I’ve seen enough,” King said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.
“I’m just telling you, next Saturday night, you’ll understand the gap between one and two. You’ll see it first-hand, Port Adelaide, away from home. I don’t care who plays for Port and I don’t really care who they select for Collingwood.
“There is a gap between these two teams, there’s a huge gap in the competition right now and I’m just going to ride it all the way.
“I’m all in on Collingwood. I think they’re that far in front it’s not funny.”
The Magpies own the league’s best win-loss record (15-2) and the healthiest percentage (139%) and are considered firm favourites for this year’s flag.