Chris Scott and Geelong didn’t pay Josh Daicos much respect in Round 22, and it appears that continued into the coaches votes for the game.
As the Cats fell eight-points short in a comeback against Collingwood, Daicos was the most damaging Magpie on the ground with 38 disposals, eight score involvements and seven marks.
But there was curiosity aplenty when the coaches votes dropped. The combinations suggest that while likely Craig McRae judged Daicos best afield, Scott instead gave him one of a possible five votes.
“On the coaches votes, Jeremy Cameron got nine, Josh Daicos got six and it’s been worked out than one coach gave Daicos five and the other gave him one,” Kane Cornes told SEN’s Sportsday.
“I’m not sure how you could only give him one for that performance…
The coaches votes for Round 22 were awarded as so:
9 Jeremy Cameron (GEEL)
6 Josh Daicos (COLL)
4 Patrick Dangerfield (GEEL)
4 Tom Atkins (GEEL)
3 Nathan Murphy (COLL)
2 Brody Mihocek (COLL)
2 John Noble (COLL)
It remains unclear if Scott or McRae was the coach who gave Daicos one vote.
Luke Hodge also couldn’t believe the votes from the blockbuster clash.
“Daicos was the one who set up the play, who moved the ball, who hit risky kicks, he was damaging on Friday night,” he explained.
“For him to be a five and a one (in the votes), I’m pretty sure I know what coach gave him one.
Hodge went on to add that if Brisbane treats Daicos a similar way on Friday night, they’ll suffer the same fate as Geelong.
“It was like he had COVID… no one wanted to go near him,” he laughed.
“He had 38 touches, if you look at what he did the week before when he had 19 against Hawthorn (it’s the opposite).
“When he gets the ball and he’s got time and space, he’s a beautiful kick and he sets things up. Off his skills, they run and flow and that’s the exciting brand that both Daicos’ bring to Collingwood.
“Geelong just gave him so much time… the Brisbane Lions cannot let that happen on Friday night.”
Daicos’ efforts saw him firm for a maiden All-Australian blazer in a season where he’s averaging career highs in disposals (26.2), marks (4.7) and clearances (3.3).