Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has suggested that Nick Daicos should snub this year’s Brownlow Medal night.
It comes after the Magpies star finished second in the medal in successive years, coupled with further award misses in the aftermath.
In 2024, Daicos set what would have been the record for most Brownlow votes ever received at 38. The only problem was Carlton’s Patrick Cripps went one step further, polling 45.
READ MORE: Inside bitter months-long AFL feud rocking the league
READ MORE: ‘Diabolical’ ruck change slammed as star goes down injured
READ MORE: ‘I knocked him out’: Greene’s ugly fight with drunk dad
Nick Daicos of the Magpies is seen during the 2025 Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium. AFL Photos via Getty Images
One year later, he polled 32 votes again, only for Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell to win it with a massive 39.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae then poked fun at the situation a few weeks later at the club’s best and fairest, saying the star midfielder needed a few more 20-disposal games to win the Brownlow – given a few of Rowell’s more questionable three-vote games.
A few hours later, Daicos finished second in the Pies’ B&F to ruckman Darcy Cameron.
The cherry on top came during State of Origin. The Magpies star picked up 38 disposals, eight more than the next highest Victorian player, but missed out on the E.J Whitten Medal to GWS defender Lachie Ash.
The coaches felt Ash had a few big moments in defence when the game was on the line, giving him the nod over the prolific Collingwood star for best Victorian player.
And McGuire has had enough.
Nick Daicos of Victoria in action. Getty
When asked for his Brownlow tip for 2026, he took the opportunity to express his frustration.
“I know who won’t win it,” McGuire told the Eddie and Jimmy podcast.
“I just reckon I wouldn’t even bother.
“If I was Nick Daicos, I wouldn’t turn up. I wouldn’t come.”
Co-host Jimmy Bartel asked him if Ash was a worthy winner of the E.J Whitten Medal.
“I thought Ash was great, but he wasn’t best on ground,” McGuire said.
North Melbourne premiership great David King wonders whether Daicos is judged on a different scale to other players, following his Origin snubbing.
“It’s an open conversation, and I do feel there’s some truth to it,” King told SEN in February.
“A lot in the community feel that Nick Daicos, no matter what the award is or what the voting structure is, whether it’s his own at times like the Collingwood best and fairest, the Brownlow or even (Origin) … I do feel like he has to do more than any other player to get the same recognition.”
Bartel gave an actual answer to the Brownlow question, backing Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong to win the Brownlow this season.
“I’ve got Fremantle after the home-and-away season finishing on top,” he said
“That’s why Serong is my Brownlow tip. You win enough games, it helps.
“But I still think Brisbane wins (the flag).”
Serong finished equal sixth in the 2025 Brownlow, polling 25 votes. Teammate Andrew Brayshaw finished just ahead of him on 26.
The Brownlow enters a new era in 2026, with umpires now allowed to look at stats when deciding their votes.