Premiership player, Copeland Trophy winner and All Australian. It’s quite the season.

It was the reality for Josh Daicos in 2023, who became just the ninth Collingwood player to win the Club’s best and fairest in a premiership year, alongside the likes of Dane Swan, Tony Shaw, and the Collier brothers.

But for Daicos, who only two years ago had won just 23 games in his career, it’s taken a little while to sink in.

Since the end of 2021, he’s won 38 out of a possible 51 games including four finals, twice on Anzac Day and of course one on Grand Final day.

And it’s no surprise that they’ve been the two best years of his career personally, crediting a switch in mindset for the success.

“Two years ago if you told me I’d be a premiership player I’d almost laugh in your face,” he said.

“We were 17th at the time and looked like we were going to struggle for a little bit.

“It’s been an amazing journey the last couple of years to now be a premiership player with all the boys and Fly and everyone at the Club it’s something you dream about as a kid and to have it come through is an amazing feeling.

“How time flies when you’re in this environment says it all, the last two years I think everyone would say they’ve been the happiest years of their career.”

Daicos’ bloodlines have meant he was destined for Collingwood greatness since he was a little kid.

But just how much the premiership means to he, his brother Nick, and the whole Daicos family is evident whenever he gets the chance to reflect on it.

“It means everything, we’ve been in the stands for so many years watching other players do it and watching huge games and Grand Finals and to now be with Nick in those situations side by side arm in arm is something that we know how grateful and we know how lucky we are,” he says.

“I was telling all the boys that played in the Granny that we gathered in the centre circle in that huddle and we were talking about how much it means to us and the boys how much joy they bring to my family.

“Obviously Mum and Dad now watching Nick and I and the journey we’ve been on, Dad being a player and getting to watch his two sons play for the Club that he loves, I just thank them all because it means the world to them.

“It changes lives winning premierships for all fans and families out there, it’s something that you go on supporting for so many years and we were lucky enough to be in a Grand Final let alone win it.”

Now that he’d had that first taste of it, the oldest Daicos brother wants more.

While he’s using his break as a chance to refresh, there’s an undeniable hunger to defend the crown.

“Scott and Steele in particular have spoken about how hard they are to get to,” he says.

“You need to work so hard but that doesn’t guarantee everything, there’s a lot of timing, luck and being in the right place at the right time.

“We’ve worked not only hard this season but prior to that there’s the work we’ve done as well

“All of us boys I’m sure will enjoy this and reflect but we can’t wait to do it again. We definitely don’t lose sight of how hard they are to get to and to win.”

Josh Daicos’ 2023 stats:

• Copeland Trophy winner
• All-Australian wingman
• Career high 38 disposals in Round 22
• Ranked = #2 for disposals at Collingwood