We are already on Brownlow Medal watch for Collingwood’s stand-in captain Nick Daicos, who made a blistering start to season 2026 with a 13-disposal opening quarter to steer the Pies to an 11-point lead over St Kilda.
The Saints have unleashed recruits Tom De Koning, Liam Ryan, Sam Flanders and Jack Silvagni, and kicked the opening two goals of the night, but Collingwood piled on the next four to take a deserved quarter-time advantage.
Brilliant: Nick DaicosCredit: Getty Images
Daicos and his older brother Josh combined for 24 disposals and four clearances, Jordan De Goey kicked two great goals and ageless veteran Scott Pendlebury’s nifty hands created several scoring opportunities.
Brayden Maynard was terrific in defence in the injury absence of Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe, including a crunching tackle to force a St Kilda turnover that led to De Goey’s second goal.
But it was Daniel McStay who produced the biggest highlight, somehow bouncing through a goal just before the first break with a quick snap from barely inside 50.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has had some nice moments already, but the Saints’ ball movement has looked inferior to the Pies’ so far. De Koning’s been the best of the recruits with six disposals in a competitive ruck battle with Darcy Cameron.
QT: Collingwood 4.3 (27) lead St Kilda 2.4 (16)
