AFL
6 months ago
“Collingwood don’t get an unfair advantage”: Peter Daicos hopes AFL keeps father-son rule as is
By Matthew Younan
Collingwood legend Peter Daicos says he’d like the father-son rule to “stay intact”, stating the Pies aren't unfairly advantaged by the rule.
Daicos is arguably the biggest name in footy in 2024, with Nick and Josh starring for Collingwood and playing a key part in last year's premiership after joining the club as father-son selections.
Josh was the club's best and fairest in that campaign, while Nick would have likely won the Brownlow Medal if not for an injury late in the home and away season.
The 62-year-old Daicos told SEN's Dwayne’s World on Thursday that he’d love the AFL to keep the status quo when it comes to father-son recruitment.
It comes with the league in the midst of a competitive balance review that is expected to force clubs to stump up more for father-son and academy selections.
The rule currently allows clubs to match opposition bids on father-son players on the draft points system, with a 20 per cent discount for selections in the first round.
“It’s served its purpose for me. Having played my career at Collingwood, I know Peter Moore probably feels the same way and Gavin Brown… I think it has served us well in that respect,” Daicos said on the father-son rule.
“I’d like it to stay intact. It’s worked for Collingwood at the moment and that’s probably why everyone is jumping up and down… but Collingwood did pour a bit into it over the last 10-12 years with its academy.
“Okay, it’s not a full blown training program but they get together three times a year and we are all about showing a great interest in the kids…”
The Magpies have been key beneficiaries of the father-son rule as it is, with Darcy Moore another star player to have a famous Collingwood father.
But Daicos said: “Collingwood don’t get an unfair advantage. It’s just the luck of the draw.”
The Australian Football Hall of Famer also spoke to the news of an improved award for this year's Goal of the Year.
The 2024 GOTY winner will receive $50,000 as well as $10,000 to their junior club. It’s a far cry from what Daicos received as a reward for his incredible goal from the boundary against Richmond 33 years ago.
Daicos won $2,000 worth of fuel for his sublime efforts. But the five-time club-leading goal kicker appreciates it was a significant reward at the time.
“It was probably a king’s ransom back then relative to the times. Back in those days, you were probably getting a full tank of fuel for $10 so it was a hell of a lot of fuel,” Daicos laughed.
In terms of this year's winner, while not being drawn on one over the other, he acknowledged that Harley Reid and Marcus Bontempelli’s goals will take a fair effort to beat.
“Both those would be worthy recipients,” Daicos said.
“Harley running the field, virtually taking on players and being able to execute after running that distance took some doing.”
But Daicos said Bontempelli’s goal was just as classy and he was taken aback by the footy smarts the Bulldogs skipper showed.
“Great awareness with his back to goal, feeding off, being sandwiched and able to make a bit of space. He didn’t even look at the goal. He knew way before he got his hands on the ball where the goals were so he created a pretty special goal as well.”
The Mark of the Year winner this season will also walk away far better off than in 2023, pocketing $50,000 cash and two million Velocity Frequent Flyer Points in 2024.
