An inaugural Daicos double and another father-son star headlined Collingwood’s representation in the 2023 All-Australian team announced during the AFL Awards at Centerpiece Melbourne tonight.
Josh and Nick Daicos earnt their maiden selections in the All-Australian side following standout seasons, while Pies’ skipper Darcy Moore received his second All Australian blazer on the back of another stellar year.
Nick’s historic home and away season began with dominant performances in the opening rounds and continued until he injured his knee during Collingwood’s Round 21 clash against Hawthorn.
The 20-year-old averaged 31.2 disposals and went at more than 75 per cent disposal efficiency in his second season, while he averaged close to a goal per game with 18 majors from his 20 matches.
With a plethora of best on ground performances, Nick’s season highlight came in the form of a 40- disposal, two goal effort during the Club’s Round Six ANZAC Day victory against Essendon, where he was awarded the Anzac Day Medal.
Nick was also named the Coaches Association’s Best Young Player.
Meanwhile his brother Josh backed up a breakout season last year with an even stronger campaign in 2023.
The 24-year-old was named in the 44-player All Australian squad last year.
Josh averaged 26.1 disposals across 23 games, while also being impactful to the scoreboard kicking 16 goals.
The Daicos brothers’ selection kicks off their quest of matching their father Peter in All Australian representation, who was selected on three occasions across his 250-game career (1982, 1988, 1990).
Darcy Moore has taken his game to new heights during his first year as Captain and was duly rewarded with his selection at centre half-back.
Moore received his first All-Australian blazer in 2020. This year the 27-year-oldput on an intercept marking masterclass to entrench himself as one of the competition’s best key defenders.
Averaging 4 intercept marks per game across 21 performances, Moore ranked fourth across the league in the metric and equaled the record for most intercept marks in a game (10) during the Pies’ Round 10 clash against Carlton.
Moore was a key ball user down back and averaged 16.1 disposals throughout the season and went at better than 86 per cent disposal efficiency.
While unlucky not to make the final team, Jordan De Goey and Isaac Quaynor were rewarded for great seasons with selection in the initial squad.
Quaynor played every game during the home and away season and established himself as one of the premier shut down defenders in the game, while De Goey was at his best across 18 games.
