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However, as history tells us, ruck Darcy Cameron pipped Daicos for the yearly crown by 13 votes after a stellar season as the club\u2019s number one tall \u2014 despite an early joke from head coach Craig McRae that a \u201cfew quieter, 16-disposal games\u201d may have helped him secure Brownlow honours, and perhaps, in turn, the Best and Fairest.<\/p>\n
It was reported in the days following the vote count that Peter Daicos, father of Nick and club legend, abruptly left the event during the vote count.<\/a> On Fox Footy\u2019s Midweek Tackle on Tuesday night, reporter Jon Ralph revealed the full story behind why.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are aftershocks that remain six months on from that Copeland Trophy night,\u201d Ralph began.<\/p>\n \u201cCraig McRae started the night with his discussion about those \u201816 possessions games\u2019 of Matt Rowell that won him the Brownlow Medal.<\/p>\n Peter Daicos and Nick Daicos.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cThe message was really clear: \u2018We got our boys back, you won\u2019t be missing out here tonight Nick\u2019. But, at some point during the count, McRae approached a senior member of the Daicos family, and made clear that Nick is not going to win; he\u2019s not going to defend his title.<\/p>\n \u201cThat member was a bit shell-shocked. \u2018How do I take this news? The eyes of the club\u2019s going to be looking at me.\u2019 Darcy Cameron eventually wins that award. Their decision was then: \u2018It\u2019s best that we leave\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn\u2019t storm out. They did make their way out of the facility there. They spoke to seven or eight people (before leaving), including Nick Daicos. They said: \u2018Be humble and be gracious, even if you don\u2019t win. Of course, you need to absolutely uphold what we have instilled in you as a son\u2019.<\/p>\n