Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Asked how Essendon can stop Nick Daicos, Zach Merrett can only offer a deadpan: “You got any answers?”
The Essendon skipper knows as well as anyone that planning to shut down the superstar Magpie on Anzac Day is one thing, but succeeding is another matter altogether.
Daicos, 22, is enjoying a red-hot start to the AFL season, his unquestionable ability teaming with a relentless work ethic to shake off opposition taggers with ease.
He has averaged 30.8 disposals and 6.8 clearances this season, and is fresh off tearing Brisbane to shreds at the Gabba.
“It’s interesting. I think they set the game up around their stars, and their stars are littered across the field in every line,” Merrett said.
“So obviously every club comes up against Collingwood, Nick Daicos is at the front of the line, but we also know they have a number of other players that we need to put attention into.
“And no doubt the coaches will go to work on that, and we’ll try and execute on those plans.”
A tag is one option coach Brad Scott will be considering in a bid to stop Daicos.
“We’ll try. He’ll certainly have an opponent, I suspect multiple. We’ll try and learn from others as well,” Scott said.
“But the problem is that whether he’s tagged, not tagged, he’s found a way to be influential.
“So there’s not going to be one sort of mode of attack with him. He’s just like all absolute top-line players – whether they’re tagged or not, they find a way to be influential, and we’re just going to have to curb that.
“Suspect it’s going to be hard to stop him getting the ball, so if your judge is going purely on possessions, that’s going to be a challenge. But that’s not the way we’re going to measure it.”
Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore is delighted with how big-bodied midfielder Ned Long has freed up the likes of Daicos.
Moore has pulled up well after a nasty collision against Brisbane, when Logan Morris pushed him into the path of oncoming teammate Jeremy Howe, who was in a marking contest with Brisbane’s Cam Rayner.
Howe’s knee split the cartilage in his ear, but Moore was cleared of concussion and never feared missing the Anzac Day game.
“I wasn’t really thinking about this week, to be honest, in that moment, just obviously pretty keen to get my ear stitched back onto my head,” Moore said.
“It’s been fine, just had a bit of a cold yesterday, so missed training, but feeling good today.”
