Former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has urged the AFL to look at the Nick Daicos incident after he was paid a controversial free kick in his team’s win. The criticism comes following the news Daicos has been sent for scans on a foot injury. Scott Pendlebury broke the all-time appearance record at the MCG on Saturday in his team’s 10-point win over West Coast.
Unfortunately, the game was rocked with the injury of Jamie Elliot who was taken from the field with a knee injury. Daicos was the best on ground in the pivotal win for Collingwood, but fans were left filthy after the umpires paid the midfielder a free-kick and an easy kick at goal.
The game was in the balance in the third quarter when Daicos appeared to push the West Coast defender to impede him from stopping a goal. The Eagles were awarded a free kick right in front of their goal, before Reuben Ginbey went up and gave Daicos a nudge.
Daicos went down easily and the umpires overturned the free kick and gave the Collingwood star a shot at goal right in front for his second of the night. But the manner in which Daicos went down didn’t sit well with everyone.
AFL great Malthouse felt the code should look back on that incident and fine Daicos for ‘staging’. “If they’re fair dinkum, they’ll fine him for staging,” he said on ABC Radio.
And Malthouse was certainly not the only one. Fans couldn’t believe how easily Daicos won the free kick and felt West Coast were unfortunate. Others suggested Ginbey gave the umpires the opportunity to make the call and shouldn’t have baited Daicos.
Nick Daicos injured after West Coast win
Unfortunately for Collingwood and coach Craig McRae, Elliot might not be the only injury from the win over the Eagles. Channel 7 reporter Xander McGuire claimed Daicos had been sent for scans after his foot was stomped on during the game. Speaking to Channel 7, Daicos said he wasn’t too concerned.
Although missing Daicos would be a huge blow to Collingwood with the midfielder showing just how important he is to the team with three goals and 34 disposals. Collingwood sit in ninth on 22 points.
Collingwood are already likely to be without captain Darcy Moore next week and will be without Elliot for the remainder of the season after it was confirmed he suffered a ruptured ACL. Elliot remained with the team to celebrate Pendlebury’s milestone in the dressing room, but was hobbling.
This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/magpies-great-urges-afl-to-take-action-against-nick-daicos-amid-midfielders-worrying-update-014448927.html
