He entered as the unbackable favourite, and Nick Daicos is officially a Brownlow Medallist after dominating Monday night’s count.
And the Collingwood superstar delivered a humble acceptance speech at Crown Palladium, including a hilarious anecdote about how his father dealt with his early-life Carlton fandom.
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Daicos was priced at $1.01 to win the Brownlow Medal, and that overwhelming favouritism was reflected in the count, with the 23-year-old polling an all-time record 47 votes.
His winning margin of 11 votes was the equal-biggest of all time.
Daicos broke the record for most best-on-grounds with 13, beating Patrick Cripps’ previous record of 12 set in 2024.
He also set a new record with six-straight three-vote games between Rounds 15-20.
The 118-gamer polled 31 votes from Round 11 onwards. If he’d started his season at that point in the year, he would have still finished third in the count.
Still, it was a surreal feeling for Daicos when he was welcomed to the stage as the newest member of the game’s most elite club.
“Oh, mate, I was just speaking to ‘Rowelly’ (Matt Rowell) about it — I never thought I’d be up on this stage; it’s something that I genuinely have to pinch myself,” he said after being crowned the 2026 Brownlow Medallist.
Asked if he felt a sense of relief after having fallen short previously as a top contender, Daicos said: “I’ve just learned not to trust the betting markets, to be honest.
“But no, there is (relief) … I’m so privileged to be up here, and I can’t believe I’m a Brownlow medalist, to be honest.”
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Nick Daicos reflected on his early love for Carlton.Source: FOX SPORTS
A self-declared “overthinker”, Daicos gave an insight into how he’s progressively dealt with the external pressure of being an AFL superstar.
“In school, everyone goes through those stages where you might get an AFL article (written about you), or there might be talk about (where) you might go in the draft, or just even being spoken about,” he said.
“And at the time, you’re thinking ‘how good’s this?’, it’s your first time being spoken about, and it’s awesome. And then pretty quickly, it did get a little bit overwhelming — playing for Collingwood and having dad play, Josh play, and being in the spotlight all the time.
“And it’s probably something that I feel like I’ve pushed away as the years have gone on and shied away from, and … I wouldn’t say struggled with, but I’ve definitely battled with it at times, and deleted social media.
“I tried to stay off that stuff and just give myself a little break where I can, but at the same time, I’m so bloody privileged to be in the position I’m in.”
Daicos said that “at times” not being able to be anonymous is hard, but he maintained that he doesn’t take for granted the platform he has.
As he explained on Monday night, that platform has allowed him to cultivate a relationship with an eight-year-old boy, Logan, who’s battling cancer.
“I’ve got a youngster, Logan, who’s staying awake at the moment … (I’ve) worked closely with him this year, and I think that just shows the platform we can have, and impacting people like that,” Daicos said.
“We send videos back and forth throughout the week, and we’re only able to do that and put a smile on his face because we’re playing.
“But then, at the same time, I think he’s probably taught me more than I’ve taught him.”
In a heartwarming moment at the podium, Daicos dedicated his first signature as a Brownlow medallist to Logan.
‘Treated me like a Covid patient’ | 00:23
Daicos was a self-proclaimed footy “nuffy” growing up, attending whichever games were in Melbourne on any given weekend as a young child.
It was that route of conversation that led to the Collingwood champion explaining his sacrilegious early love for arch-rivals Carlton.
It was especially jarring for his father, Peter, a Magpies legend.
“I didn’t think we were going to go there this early,” Daicos smirked when asked how his Blues infatuation came about.
“I loved Chris Judd growing up … I did love Marc Murphy and Chris Judd growing up, so I came home one day with a number three on my back and a Carlton jersey, and started walking around the house singing ‘da da da da da’.
“I’m not kidding, Dad was treating me like a COVID patient. Like, I was like I was eight years old, I wasn’t getting fed. I had to, like, isolate.
“It was a brutal time, so I had to come back to Collingwood.”
And speaking of funny anecdotes, Daicos recalled a more recent story of when he and Collingwood teammate Billy Frampton were on PlayStation sledging someone they initially thought was an Essendon fan, but actually turned out to be Bombers player Mason Redman.
“That is true; it was 2023, I hurt my knee and had a bit of time off, and the boys got the job done against the Bombers the night before and big Billy Frampton … was online with me,” Daicos explained.
“And we were sort of getting stuck into this opposition player, and one way or another — I think my name was ‘Whisp’ at the time or something — and we got talking, and pretty quickly worked out it was Mason Redman.
“So, yeah, we stopped talking rubbish online, because you can get caught.”
Mark & goal of the year announced! | 00:37
To close his acceptance speech, Daicos gave some special thank-yous.
“I want to start with my partner Arlette,” he said.
“I’m so grateful to have you in my corner … our bond, we’re so close, and I think you offer me such great perspective with what you do with work every single day … you make me realise what really matters in the world.
“I have a tough day and pretty quickly come home, and I’m quite levelled out, because what you do, you have such a great impact, and I’m so lucky to have you in my corner, so thank you.
“And then my family; my mum and dad, who are in here tonight, I can’t wait to share this night with you. I’m not here without you, and I’m so grateful for all your support.
“I feel like playing at Collingwood and being a father-son, there’s probably been extra spotlight on me at times, and I know it’s not easy with some scrutiny, and then also the other way, when there’s really nice feedback — we don’t deal too well in the spotlight, and I’m so grateful for everything you guys have done for me.
“My sister and Josh — I’ll put you together. Josh, I couldn’t have asked for a better role model since I’ve entered the club, mate. You’re my brother, one of my best mates, but yeah, I love coming into work every day and getting better with you, mate.
“And then also to Fly and the Collingwood Football Club for picking me up — it’s been a hell of a ride, it’s been a really exciting five years, and I feel like we’re in the window to attack again.”