The “almost unnatural” aspect of Daicos’ game that Watson feels separates him from the pack

Essendon great Tim Watson thinks that lessons learned in other professional sports can also be applied to AFL footy.

The SEN host had that thought when listening to the GM Shuffle Podcast with former NFL assistant Michael Lombardi who was interviewing two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms.

Since retiring, Simms became one of the NFL’s most renowned broadcasters and somewhat of a quarterback whisperer who works with some of the brightest prospects in the game.

Given that NFL teams do extensive background research on all of their prospects and can use their measurables to predict what kind of player they will become, Simms says that the biggest thing that separates the good from the great is their mindset and love for the game.

“I was listening to a podcast yesterday, the GM shuffle with our mate Michael Lombardi,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.

“He had his good mate, Phil Simms who was a star quarterback and he’s a broadcaster over there in the States - he was a Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the New York Giants.

“They were talking about recruiting and he actually looks after a lot of quarterbacks, he's a bit like a quarterback whisperer. Young guys who may have just been drafted, they might go to Phil Simms and he'll work with them on their footwork and throwing technique and all that type of thing.

“But they were talking about what he looks for (in prospects) because they break the players down like to the nth degree in terms of everything associated with them.

“But he thinks one of the most important things is what is their level of love of the game because he thinks that decides the good, from the great to the absolute best.

“He was talking about Tom Brady - the love of the game elevates them to another level.”

One AFL player that immediately sprung into Watson’s mind after hearing Simms talk about a quarterback’s love for the game was Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.

The 21-year-old Pie has quickly developed into perhaps the competition’s best player in just his third season and there is a major reason why he has reached that mantle so quickly – on top of his immense talent.

It is his love for the game and diligence to his craft.

Watson pondered whether that sheer love for footy was the reason behind Daicos’ incredibly sharp rise compared to other young prospects that are taken at the pointy end of drafts.

“I was thinking about that and Nick Daicos,” Watson said.

“When you watch Nick Daicos play … look at what he did in that second half against North Melbourne.

“His desire, will, and want to be in the game and to change what is going on in the game or insert himself in the game - it's almost unnatural.

“This is only his third year in the game, but you're just watching that vision again, he was gut-running, he was bursting his lungs to get from contest to contest.

“That sort of is the separation between those that would be maybe just comfortable to be out there, or they don't have the confidence to want to insert themselves in a game like that, to somebody who in a short space of time becomes a superstar of the game.”

The 2023 premiership player is currently sitting second in the AFLCA Coaches Votes behind Isaac Heeney.

He leads the AFL in clearances and contested possessions, while he's also second overall in disposals and third for inside 50s.