Nick Daicos admits sad moments after Collingwood's win over ...

Nick Daicos doesn’t like the wild hysteria surrounding his stunning form in the first three rounds of only his second AFL season.

The 20-year-old Collingwood star has only played 28 games and is already one of the Brownlow Medal favorites this year after three brilliant performances earlier in the year.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nick Daicos speaks to Channel 7 shortly after beating Richmond.

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In the ultimate show of respect, Daicos is already being targeted by opposing sides as the talisman to be stopped after making 35 dismounts in Round 1, 32 in Round 2 and another 33 in the Magpies’ 14-point win at Richmond on Friday night.

He is currently the hottest name in the game.

But he doesn’t like it.

He made that clear to Channel 7 Boundary rider Abbey Holmes, who in the moments following Friday night’s win asked the youngster how he was dealing with being the center of attention across the country at such a young age.

“It’s definitely not fun for me, that’s for sure,” admitted Daicos.

“I’m a fair bit off social media after the games and kind of stay away from it (the hype) so I don’t hear much about it.”

Nick Daicos spoke to Abbey Holmes after the win. Credit: channel 7

Now, early flag favorite Collingwood has shown he can win ugly, struggling through his own waste to beat the exhausted Richmond by 14 points and post a perfect 3-0 start to the AFL season.

In wet conditions at Friday’s MCG, the Magpies gritted their teeth to earn an 8.15 (63) to 7.7 (49) win in front of 85,241 fans and capped Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s 300th game at the helm spoil.

But the night turned sour when Ruckman hobbled away Darcy Cameron with a knee injury just before three-quarters time.

He will be on the sidelines for an extended period alongside Mason Cox (hematoma).

Collingwood held the Tigers to just nine points in the first two quarters — the lowest halftime total since eight points against GWS in Round 19 of 2016.

Substitute Noah Cumberland gave the Tigers a resurgence early in the third quarter by helping two goals from three as Richmond drew within three points before the Magpies took off and then decided the game.

Richmond was without the injured trio of Dustin Martin, Jayden Short and Jacob Hopper, as well as suspended defender Nathan Broad, and lacked their normal drive through the middle.

Daicos was again at his best for the Magpies. Credit: Daniel Pocket/Getty Images

Steele Sidebottom (24 dismounts) and Jordan De Goey (35 dismounts, 10 clearances) looked ominous throughout and Daicos shrugged off Jack Graham’s attention and amassed 33 touches.

Tom Mitchell and Josh Daicos were usually reliable, while Billy Frampton kept a wasteful Tom Lynch quiet.

Nick Vlastuin lined up Richmond’s defense while Liam Baker (33 dismounts) and Tim Taranto worked hard and Shai Bolton cleaned in slippery conditions.

Richmond got off to the perfect start as Lynch brought the ball down between three defenders and Bolton crumbled the ball, dancing coolly through traffic and snapping the side of his shoe.

Bolton’s stance proved a rare moment of composure for the Tigers, with Collingwood handling the conditions far better.

But after Bobby Hill’s early reaction, the Magpies couldn’t make the most of their early dominance, coming up six from behind.

Goals from Brody Mihocek and Ash Johnson on either side of the quarter gave Collingwood the upper hand.

While they dominated the territory, Collingwood’s failure to count it on the scoreboard kept the door open for a Richmond resurgence.

Richmond replaced young tall Samson Ryan for Cumberland at half-time and he had a hand in Rhyan Mansell and Judson Clarke scoring early goals.

But when Jack Riewoldt added Richmond’s third straight goal, it got Collingwood into action, with the Magpies starting the next four of the quarter, including a beautiful, flickering goal from skipper Scott Pendlebury.

Collingwood withstood another late Tiger surge last term to maintain his unbeaten start.

– With AAP

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