Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos is set to return, ahead of the Magpies' preliminary final against GWS.
The superstar midfielder went down with a knee injury in the Magpies' 32-point loss to Hawthorn in Round 21.
With Daicos sidelined for the final three games of the home and away season, the Brownlow Medal race was blown wide open.
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When will Nick Daicos return from injury?
Daicos is expected to play in a thrilling preliminary final matchup against GWS, after missing six weeks with a knee concern.
Collingwood Head of High-Performance Jarrod Wade confirmed that Daicos was moving well on the track.
“Nick Daicos has been working away in rehab for the last five or six weeks and was able to complete some of the match simulation last Friday night,” Wade said.
“He got about 25 minutes done of full match simulation, so that’s contact, that’s everything and he wasn’t restricted all in that.
“He’ll complete a full session of training this week. We’re not expecting any hiccups with Nick and he’s been responding to each session better every time we’ve given him more load.”
MORE: AFL Injury List 2023
What is Nick Daicos' injury?
Scans revealed in early August that Daicos had suffered a hairline fracture in his right knee, following an on-field clash with Hawks defender James Blanck.
The 20-year-old will not require surgery for the injury, but will need to spend time on the sidelines to make his recovery.
An update on a few key injuries for the Pies...
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 5, 2023
Nick Daicos: knock on the knee.
Nathan Murphy: low-grade syndesmosis.@Nat_Edwards @cleary_mitch pic.twitter.com/qNN0mI7CxV
Nick Daicos shares his injury disappointment
Beginning his rehabilitation plan in early August, Daicos was hopeful of making a comeback during finals.
“I’m pretty disappointed, obviously,” he told reporters after the incident.
“I met with the surgeon, don’t need surgery which is a huge positive … I’m pretty focused now to start my recovery as soon as possible.”
Daicos had gone into the Hawthorn with bone bruising on his knee and was aware of the injury before the contact came in the third quarter.
Can Nick Daicos still win the Brownlow Medal?
It is an incredibly disappointing outcome for Daicos, who, in just his second year, is leading the charge for the Brownlow Medal.
But even with his final three games ruled out, the 20-year-old could still emerge as the AFL's best and fairest in September.
Daicos' season has been unprecedented, with the youngster leading the league in disposals and breaking games open with his precise field-kicking.
Perennial Brownlow contenders Marcus Bontempelli and Christian Petracca will make a late surge for the medal, while Richmond's Tim Taranto and Port Adelaide's Zak Butters could also feature.
The same is true for the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year Award, which Daicos led for most of the season.
MORE: AFL Coaches Association Votes Leaderboard
