It was only January, but Josh Daicos had finals on his mind.

It might’ve been a rest day for him and his Collingwood teammates, but the 24-year-old had committed to going the extra mile over the off-season.

So, a grueling gym session awaited, with building his strength the main priority.

He had a couple of teammates join him too – brother Nick, to no great surprise – and Issac Quaynor, who has since enjoyed a breakout year.

Driven by the heartbreak of last year’s agonising Preliminary Final loss to Sydney, the trio undertook their own gym and running program, as they began their quest for retribution in 2023.

“We spent a lot of time in the off-season Q, Nick and I – we were doing a lot of strength-based training Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Daicos said.

“That was awesome and it’s awesome when you’re doing it with Q and Nick as well, it makes it competitive and really fun and engaging which was awesome for us.

“It keeps everything fresh and exciting, and everyone finds something that works for them and we found that program to be awesome and we saw results and just felt a little bit stronger.

“You’re always looking for ways to get better and obviously losing by a point last year in a prelim hurt.”

No doubt those extra gains were made, materialising in the wingman’s All-Australian selection last week.

He was one of three Pies, alongside Nick and skipper Darcy Moore to be rewarded for their standout home and away seasons.

But Daicos was trying to take his mind off it as he made the most of the pre-finals bye, soaking up the Gold Coast sun following the Club’s Round 24 win over Essendon.

It was doubtless in the back of his mind though, and while he was sure of Nick’s place in the final 22, his beach-side relaxation was interrupted to inform of him of his own too.

“I found out Monday arvo when I was in Gold Coast so I got a call from Wrighty (Graham Wright) and it was one of the better calls I’ve had,” he said.

“I had a fair idea that Nick would make it, I just hoped I would slot in there with him.

“As soon as I found out I let him know, I couldn’t hold it in.”

Attention now turns to Thursday night, with the Pies opening the 2023 Finals Series with a blockbuster Qualifying Final against Melbourne.

Having developed a rivalry with the Dees over the past few seasons, Daicos is prepared for a fiercely contested game.

“We play obviously for King’s Birthday and that’s such a big occasion and they’re always pretty close games and one of high magnitude,” he said.

“This one will be no different with 95-96,000 in there so we’re ready to go and up for the challenge.”

The hurt from last year that was with him immediately last September, carried into January, is still there today.

It’s precisely why Daicos is looking to lead the charge this time around.

“The Qualifying Final almost hurts me as much as the prelim because it was a game we were largely in control of,” he said.

“It almost felt like Grand Final day that game and obviously the week after we played Fremantle and almost had 90000 Collingwood fans at the G and a few Freo, just absolutely swarming them.

“Then obviously the prelim really hurt and the Grand Final I was there and it was pretty tough to watch.

“We’re obviously always looking for ways to get better and it’s great to do it as a team because we want to win a premiership.”