Collingwood star Nick Daicos has hit the coaching monitor solo as he ramps up his bid to return from harm with a bang within the AFL preliminary ultimate.
Daicos has been sidelined since struggling a hairline fracture in his knee in an upset loss to Hawthorn in spherical 21 however has step by step been constructing in direction of a return.
Coach Craig McRae had admitted Daicos would have been wanting a run if required to play this week.
But with Collingwood incomes the week off by beating Melbourne in final week’s qualifying ultimate, the stress on the 20-year-old to return has been relieved.
Daicos hit the monitor for round two hours in heat circumstances at Collingwood’s coaching base at Olympic Park Oval on Wednesday, operating by some drills with improvement coach Neville Jetta.
The midfielder was kicking, operating and bar a few ginger moments, was shifting effectively and in good spirits forward of his deliberate return in opposition to both Port Adelaide or GWS on the MCG subsequent week.
Older brother Josh has tried to not badger Nick about his knee an excessive amount of, as a substitute supporting the 20-year-old by his harm.
But the winger is assured the younger gun, who averaged 31 disposals and kicked 18 objectives earlier than his harm, will hit the bottom operating when he returns.
“He’s just been super professional with his his rehab and obviously wants to come back so bad,’ Josh Daicos told AAP ahead of the finals.
“It’s the perfect time of the yr, finals.
“He was very optimistic about it and attacked rehab.
“So yeah, he’ll be able to go.”
Daicos’ likely availability means coach McRae will likely have to deliver another piece of selection heartbreak, after John Noble was dropped for the qualifying final.
Brayden Maynard is available after being cleared by the AFL tribunal over his attempted smother that knocked out Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw.
Skipper Darcy Moore has had a lighter week on the track after reportedly having a cast on his right hand this week as he manages a tendon issue.
It isn’t anticipated to have an effect on the star defender’s availability for the preliminary ultimate.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
