Peter Daicos hopes his All-Australian sons can enjoy playing for Collingwood in the AFL grand final this weekend — because he never did.
Josh and Nick Daicos will pull on the black and white stripes at the MCG against Brisbane on Saturday to try and win the Magpies’ first premiership in 13 years, following in the footsteps of their famous father Peter, who kicked two goals in Collingwood’s drought-breaking 1990 flag.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Peter Daicos and Jason Akermanis speak to Sunrise ahead of the AFL grand final.
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But despite leading his beloved Magpies to that historic premiership against arch-rivals Essendon 33 years ago, Peter admits he didn’t fully enjoy being involved in a grand final.
He told Sunrise on the eve of the AFL decider that his advice to his sons has been to embrace it.
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“The thing I’ve been touching on already is just enjoy it, take it minute by minute as they say,” Daicos said.
“I know it’s an overused line, but just enjoy the week, the attention that it does bring to the individual players and to the football club and the team, because they will clearly come away with some great memories and they will love the day and the week.
“I know when I did it, it was a job, so I didn’t actually enjoy it like I probably should have. So, I think just enjoy it for what it is.”
Peter Daicos just wants his sons to enjoy their AFL grand final experience. Credit: Getty
The father of arguably the game’s best midfielder, Nick, and best winger, Josh, said if his two boys have pre-game nerves, he’s yet to see them surface.
“Look, aesthetically I can’t pick it,” the Collingwood legend said.
“I need to ask them how they are feeling but on the surface they seem pretty comfortable with things and looking forward to getting out there on Saturday.
“Having said that, their temperament is pretty good considering that in a football life, football doesn’t get any bigger than this. It’s a big opportunity and they can’t wait to get out there.”
As for Peter’s nerves himself, he says they are much worse when he has no control over the outcome of the game.
“I think your nerves are more unsettled a little bit watching from afar,” Daicos added.
“You don’t have as much control. I think as a player you are out there and you can support outcomes, whereas when the boys are out there I’m a bit fidgety and I ride every bump and every move.
“But having said that, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Peter Daicos spoke to Sunrise on Friday. Credit: Sunrise
Joining Daicos on the Sunrise desk was Brisbane Lions great Jason Akermanis, who won two of his three premierships between 2001-2003 against Collingwood.
Akermanis said winning the midfield battle against the likes of Peter’s younger son, Nick, will be crucial to the outcome of the game.
“You’ve got to dominate the midfield,” Akermanis said.
“They (Brisbane) certainly have the best midfield in the comp and best forward line but they need the pressure to be up because if you let Jordan De Goey get out of stoppages, they will cut (the Lions) up.
“And also off the halfback flank; if Nick gets a hold of a lot of footy, he is a really good link player, so skillful, he can get it in the midfield and up forward.
“I know (Brisbane’s) record at the MCG doesn’t suggest it’s been a happy hunting ground but it’s the same with (our team of the early 2000s); we didn’t win a lot (there) either because it’s an away venue and we don’t play there enough, but that said, they should have won the last game against Melbourne when they lost by a couple of points.
“But I say all the time: they only need to win one game at the ‘G for the whole year and that’s the one that matters.”
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