Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos has finally claimed his first Brownlow Medal in a runaway victory with a record-breaking 47 votes.
The 23-year-old surged to a perfect nine votes from his first three games, led from round 11, then registered six consecutive best-on-ground performances between rounds 15 and 20 to seal victory by round 21.
Daicos won the AFL’s greatest individual honour from Geelong star Bailey Smith (36) and Western Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli (34).
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The Magpie had 13 three-vote performances and beat the previous votes record of 45 set by Carlton champion Patrick Cripps in 2024.
Daicos, the son of Magpies great Peter Daicos, conceded he was relieved, having finally prevailed after runner-up finishes in the past two seasons, a third placing in 2023 and an eighth place in his debut year of 2022.
“I’ve just learned not to trust the the betting markets, to be honest,” Daicos said at Monday night’s vote count.
“But no, there is (relief).
“It’s a massive award, and I’m so privileged to be up here. And yeah, I can’t believe I’m a Brownlow medallist, to be honest.”
The dynamic midfielder had already snared the AFL Players Association and AFL Coaches Association player-of-the-year awards this season.
It was the fourth consecutive year that Daicos was favourite, and with the umpires able to consult statistics for the first time, the star Magpie was irresistible.
Nick Daicos and partner Arlette Amor. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)
Daicos averaged 34.9 disposals, 5.7 clearances, 6.7 inside-50s and 1.1 goals.
The brilliant playmaker was edged out by Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell last year and Cripps the year before, when Daicos polled 38 votes.
Daicos, the Collingwood vice-captain who’s widely expected to be named skipper next season, is the club’s first Brownlow medallist since Dane Swan in 2011.
Bontempelli and Smith were the next best performers ahead of Melbourne skipper Max Gawn (28), Brisbane star Will Ashcroft (27), Carlton’s two-time winner Patrick Cripps (27) and North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel (27).
Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters, set to join Bontempelli at the Bulldogs next season, was among the contenders before his late-season ankle injury and finished on 26.
Sydney’s Charlie Curnow, Collingwood’s Nick Daicos, Geelong’s Bailey Smith and Collingwood’s Josh Daicos. (Getty Images: Michael Wilson/AFL Photos)
Banned Sydney stars Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner weren’t in the room as they polled 26 and 12 votes respectively.
Brisbane’s Conor McKenna won goal of the year while Hawthorn dynamo Nick Watson was awarded mark of the year.
AAP
Look back at how the count unfolded.
Leaderboard
- Nick Daicos – 47
- Bailey Smith – 36
- Marcus Bontempelli – 34
- Max Gawn – 28
- Will Ashcroft – 27
- Patrick Cripps – 27
- Harry Sheezel – 27
That’s all from the blog tonight
Another Brownlow in the books, and this time it’s Nick Daicos who leaves with the medal around his neck. A fitting end to his fine season.
We’re just getting started this grand final week though. The blog will be back tomorrow afternoon for the Lachie Neale tribunal hearing, and of course we will have all the news and analysis during the week as we build up to Saturday. Then it’s all hands on deck on grand final day as we bring you every moment of what is sure to be a classic decider.
Thanks for your company tonight, hope to see you again soon!
Some of the best of Nick this year
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It’s a highlights package that only scratches the surface.
Nick Daicos delivers his speech
Long interview, that. Feels like they had some time to kill. Anyway, Nick Daicos is now thanking those close to him:
“I want to say some thank yous, and I want to start with my partner Arlette. I’m so grateful to have you in my corner. We’re so close and I think you offer me such great perspective with what you do with work every single day, and you make me realise what really matters in the world.
“I have a tough day and pretty quickly come home and I’m levelled out, because what you do, you have such a great impact. I’m so lucky to have you.
“And then my family, my mum and dad. 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 has been extra spotlight on me at times. I know it’s not easy with scrutiny and the feedback. I’m so grateful for everything you guys have done for me.
“My sister and Josh, I put you together. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model, you’re my brother, one of my best mates.
“Then also to Fly and the Collingwood club for picking me up, it’s been a hell of a ride, a really exciting five years.”
Nick Daicos speaks about Josh and his family
Nick Daicos is speaking with Hamish McLachlan, reflecting on his life growing up in the Daicos family.
“We went to the park every night. That was something never forced on us. That is what Josh and I wanted to do. We never realised the enormity of growing up with a dad that played for the club and had such an impact at the Collingwood club.
“It’s something I don’t think I fully grasped yet. I’m so lucky to play with [Josh]. I think it’s one of those things in 10 or 20 years when he’s not out there or I’m not, we will look back and go “how cool”.
“I went to the prelim and watched Brisbane and the Ashcroft boys run around . That was probably my first time on the other side of the fence, thinking “how cool is that?”, but I get to do that with Josh every week. I love playing with him.
“He’s my role model and has been since I stepped into the club.”
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Nick Daicos has won the 2026 Brownlow Medal
With a record-breaking tally of 47 votes.
It was inevitable tonight. It’s been inevitable since the day he was drafted. This man is a special footballer, a transcendent footballer, one who must be admired no matter which colours you support.
The only surprise is that it’s taken this long for him to win one. It would be an even greater surprise if this is the only one he wins. He is an absolute hoover for Brownlow votes, as evidenced by his insane record-breaking tally of 47 tonight. He is a brilliant player and the umpire’s recognise it.
A deserving winner. Nick Daicos, Brownlow Medallist really just does sound right.
Round 24
Let it be over, please.
Bontempelli three more. Maybe he’ll finish second. Again.
Nope, Bailey Smith has three votes to finish second with 37.
No more for Daicos, so he finishes up with 47 votes to win it.
Round 23
Still the votes come. Ashcroft is up to fourth. He’ll win one someday, if Daicos lets him. Max Gawn has 26 votes, that’s pretty good.
Three more for Bailey Smith, he’ll probably finish second again.
Three more for Nick Daicos in a draw with Hawthorn. He has officially broken the record. The most Brownlow votes anyone has ever received in a season.
Round 22
Andrew Dillon is reading the rest of the votes like a bomb is about to go off. I have no idea what he is saying.
Rankine. Cripps. Ashcroft. Paul Curtis. Sheezel again. Everyone have a vote.
Three for Bailey Smith. Three more for Nick Daicos as he closes in on the record.
Round 21
Is this the round that Nick Daicos wins the Brownlow? We’re about to find out.
Nothing for Zak Butters again, who has stalled out late in the season.
Nothing for Marcus Bontempelli. One for Bailey Smith.
Nothing for Nick Daicos…
But wait…
That means Nick Daicos has won the Brownlow. He leads by 10 with three rounds to go.
Nick Daicos is nearly there
Four games to go. He’s three votes (and a Bontempelli blank) from being untouchable.
Patrick Cripps’s record is 45 votes, set in 2024. That will be beaten tonight.
Round 20
I think it could be over this round? If Nick gets three and Bont gets none? Or at least the worst he could do is tie? It’s happening too quick, I dunno.
Nothing for Bailey Smith.
One more for Sheezel, who has 25 votes.
Two votes for Marcus Bontempelli. And here come the Collingwood votes…
Nick Daicos. Three votes. He’s a game away. And he’s going to absolutely obliterate the record.
Round 19
Six rounds to go including this one.
Will Ashcroft is up to 20 votes, which is good going for the young gun. Saves his best for finals though.
One vote for Sheezel in defeat to Melbourne.
Three votes Bailey Smith in victory over St Kilda. Up to 26.
Three votes Marcus Bontempelli in victory over Gold Coast. He’s giving it everything he’s got.
But there it is. Three more for Nick Daicos in victory over Carlton. He’s just best on every week. They’re not going to catch him.
Round 18
Nick Daicos is a couple of good weeks away from closing it out. Can anyone keep up?
Nothing for Butters in defeat to St Kilda.
Nothing for Smith in defeat to GWS.
Three votes for Marcus Bontempelli in victory over West Coast.
Three votes for Nick Daicos in victory over North.
He’s nearly there.
Round 17
This back-end charge by Patrick Cripps is quite something. Don’t think he polled in the first two months of the season and now he has 19 votes.
Max Gawn is also up to 20.
One vote for Butters in a win over North. Sheezel has two more and is tied for third.
Nothing for Bailey Smith. One for Heeney.
Three votes for Nick Daicos. He has made his move and put a gap in them. Reckon it’s effectively over.
Round 16
Nine rounds to go. Getting into the business end now.
One vote for Isaac Heeney.
Another three votes for Harry Sheezel. He has 21 votes and is threatening to become the story tonight.
Three for Zak Butters! He’s up to 25 and is keeping the heat on Nick.
Never mind, three more for Nick Daicos. Gap maintained over Butters and extended over the rest.
A slice of history for Marcus Bontempelli
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A pretty significant mark reached by the Bont tonight.
How we feeling Nick?
He looks relaxed enough. He’s probably going to win from here, but it does feel like it has so far been closer than expected.
Round 15
Still in the bye rounds. Bailey Smith is currently tied with Nick Daicos at the top, but for how long?
Harry Sheezel has just gone back-to-back three voters and is up to 18 votes for the night.
Max Gawn is also up to 18 with three more. Luke Jackson is up to 17 with three more.
Three votes for Marcus Bontempelli! He is tied at the top now too.
Collingwood vs Port, this will be big…
Nothing for Zak Butters. And three votes for Nick Daicos! Just try and stop him.
Round 14
We’re almost at the point of the night when Dillon starts rearranging the games to add to the drama. In fact he might be doing that already.
Two votes for Butters, three for Heeney and three for Smith in that round.
We’re into the byes now, so a few teams are sitting rounds out. Including the Pies this time out, so there shall be no Daicos votes.
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