Collingwood star midfielder Nick Daicos has been presented with his first E.W. Copeland Trophy after a thrilling count at Crown Palladium this evening.
Finishing the count with a total of 997 votes, the youngest Daicos follows in the footsteps of his father Peter (1982, 1988) and brother Josh (2023) who have all received the prestigious award. The Daicos family become the only father and two sons to have all won their club’s best and fairest award.
The 21-year-old was runner up for this year’s Brownlow Medal, polling a historic 38 votes – the most by a Collingwood player.
In only his third year in the game, Daicos’ impressive efforts have seen him rewarded with two All Australian blazers (2023, 2024), a 2023 Premiership, the 2022 AFL Rising Star Award and most recently this year’s AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year Award.
Collingwood Senior Coach Craig McRae congratulated Daicos on the achievement.
“To be awarded his first Copeland Trophy in just his third year in the game is a huge testament to Nick’s character and dedication to his craft,” McRae said.
“Nick is highly respected not only within our four walls but across the entire league. He continues to set high standards within our program, and we’re excited about where he will take his career in the future.
“This is a remarkable achievement, and one Nick should be extremely proud of.”
Daicos is fourth in the league for most disposals (705), with an average of 30.7 disposals per game, and is ranked second in the competition for centre clearances (70).
He led the way for the Pies collecting the most contested possessions (319), tackles (107), inside 50s (127) and clearances in 2024.
In Round 23, Daicos produced one of his finest games for the year when Collingwood defeated Melbourne, collecting an impressive 40 disposals and kicking two goals. He kicked a total of 20 goals this season including a memorable match-winner against Carlton in Round Eight at the MCG.
After an outstanding season in the ruck, Darcy Cameron was named runner up with 859 votes, while Josh Daicos finished the count in third position with 741 votes.
Averaging 29 hit-outs this season and booting nine majors, Cameron was rewarded with his first All-Australian selection this year.
Fulfilling roles on the wing and in the backline this season, Daicos averaged 24.9 disposals and an impressive 14.2 kicks.
Rounding out the top five was two-time Copeland Trophy winner Jack Crisp (740), and veteran Steele Sidebottom (719), who was also awarded the Darren Milane Memorial Award for Best Clubman.
The E.W Copeland Trophy was one of three best and fairest awards presented on the night with the VFL Best and Fairest Award presented to Sam Glover and the VWFL Brendan Stroud Medal awarded to Patrick McKay.
With a total of 30 goals this season, Bobby Hill was awarded the Gordon Coventry Award as the Club’s leading goal kicker.
In his first year at the Pies, Lachie Schultz was awarded with the Gavin Brown Award for best defensive pressure, while Collingwood debutant Joe Richards was presented with the Harry Collier Trophy for the best young player.
E. W Copeland Trophy Voting System
The 2024 E. W. Copeland Trophy is voted on by Collingwood’s AFL coaching group. Senior Coach Craig McRae, together with assistant coaches Hayden Skipworth, Scott Selwood and Jordan Roughead, award votes after each match during the AFL home-and-away season.
Each coach is asked to award votes to every player in the game’s 23-player team. Each player will receive a vote 0 – 4 on the following four categories; 1. Pressure, 2. Fight, 3. Territory, 4. Role / Impact. The maximum number of votes a player can receive per round is 64 votes.
2024 E.W. Copeland Trophy Top 10
1. Nick Daicos – 997 votes – E. W. Copeland Trophy
2. Darcy Cameron – 859 votes – RT Rush Trophy
3. Josh Daicos – 741 votes – JJ Joyce Trophy
4. Jack Crisp – 740 votes
5. Steele Sidebottom – 719 votes
6. Scott Pendlebury – 682 votes
7. Patrick Lipinski – 656 votes
8. Bobby Hill – 645 votes
8. Brayden Maynard – 645 votes
10. Darcy Moore – 632 votes
Other Award Winners
Darren Millane Memorial Award (Best Clubman) – Steele Sidebottom
Gordon Coventry Award (Leading Goal Kicker) – Bobby Hill
Gavin Brown Award (Best Defensive Pressure) – Lachie Schultz
Harry Collier Trophy (Best Young Player) – Joe Richards
Jack Hellier Trophy (VFL Best Clubman) – Campbell Lane
Other 2024 Collingwood Best and Fairest Awards
Joseph Wren Trophy (VFL Best and Fairest) – Sam Glover
Brendan Stroud Trophy (VWFL Best and Fairest) – Patrick McKay
Reclink Best and Fairest – Dean Perawiti and Makayla Brown
VFLW Best and Fairest – Katie Day
