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No secret in Hawks' plan to stop Nick Daicos

3 minute read

Finn Maginness kept GWS star Josh Kelly quiet and hopes to do the same to Nick Daicos when Hawthorn take on AFL ladder-leaders Collingwood.

NICK DAICOS of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG In Melbourne, Australia.
NICK DAICOS of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG In Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Dylan Burns/via Getty Images

Hawthorn tagger Finn Maginness is out to ruin any ideas Nick Daicos has of marking his massive contract extension with another blistering AFL display.

Collingwood this week announced father-son stars Nick and Josh Daicos had signed fresh six-year deals with the club, securing their services until 2029 and 2030 respectively.

The gun midfielders will be key figures in coach Craig McRae's attempt to steer the ladder-leading Magpies back on track after a rare loss - against fierce rivals Carlton - last time out.

But Nick Daicos can expect close attention at the MCG on Saturday from Maginness, who claimed a huge scalp in round 17 when he held GWS ball-magnet Josh Kelly to just six touches.

"It is pretty obvious he is going to go to Daicos, isn't it?" Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said.

"We'll try and find a way to make that work. He'll go to Daicos and see if he can quell him."

Daicos is the hot Brownlow Medal favourite in his second AFL season, averaging 32.6 disposals and 4.2 clearances per game.

The 20-year-old has shifted from half-back to the midfield in recent weeks and has been damaging forward of centre.

"He's had such a fantastic season," Mitchell said.

"He is a genuine match-winner and is involved in so much of their play."

Mitchell also flagged sending Maginness to blunt Collingwood's other weapons at stages on Saturday, with Jordan De Goey among those likely to be in his sights.

"They've got so many talented players that Finn could go to," Mitchell said.

"We've had to be flexible again in the last month, so we expect that to happen again."

Collingwood have axed ruck-forward Mason Cox after some lean form, replacing him with Ash Johnson, while small forward Bobby Hill is back after a week out with illness.

The Hawks have lost Sam Frost to a foot injury and made a string of changes, recalling Jacob Koschitzke, Ned Reeves, Harry Morrison and Jack Scrimshaw.

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