Nick Daicos' Magpies midfield move inevitable: McRae

You might think you've seen all of Nick Daicos' tricks but there's one attribute Collingwood coach Craig McRae believes has flown under the radar.

And it's one that will be a significant factor in the 20-year-old Brownlow Medal favourite completing his inevitable transition into a full-time midfield role.

"He's an incredible athlete," McRae said after Daicos starred in the Magpies' thrilling two-point win over Adelaide on Sunday.

"What's lost in all of the spectacular possessions and goals and stuff is how good a runner he is. He's remarkable."

Daicos has relished more midfield time in recent weeks, called on to shoulder some of the workload left by suspended teammate Jordan De Goey.

But the Magpies aren't in a hurry to push their young star permanently into the engine room.

"If we're doing list management forecasting, Nick's going to be an inside mid," McRae said.

"It's just a matter of time and picking the right opportunities when they present.

"But also we don't quite have someone like him down back either to get the ball out of there, so it will be a balance."

Daicos finished with 38 disposals, eight clearances and a goal against Adelaide and combined brilliantly with brother Josh, who tallied 33 touches, six clearances and a goal.

The performances no doubt impressed father Peter, the Collingwood legend who watched from his usual vantage point in the grandstand.

"I think they had 70-odd possessions between them. Peter would be pretty happy tonight, but it's just the ability to do their job," McRae said.

"I thought Josh was influential in the way the scoreboard looked at halftime.

"He was significant in the way he played his role, his possessions had value, and it's nice to see them both smiling at the end of the game. They're enjoying their footy."

Australian Associated Press