Nick Daicos just loves playing the Tigers.
The fifth-year father-son again filled his boots against one of Collingwood's hapless traditional rivals, garnering 37 disposals and three majors as his side cruised to a 34-point victory over Adem Yze's side.
Pleasingly for Daicos, and coach Craig McRae, the disposal inefficiency that has dogged the club's poster boy at certain stages this season was not a feature of the victory, with the younger Daicos' 37 touches coming at 84% efficiency.
His seven clearances on Saturday were the most on the ground, as were the five that were garnered from centre ball-ups alone. He was top three for metres gained, equal-second for contested possessions, and first for inside 50s and score involvements.
Josh Daicos intercepts and Nick slots his third 🤝#AFLPiesTigers pic.twitter.com/Yuk1IdE9EU
— AFL (@AFL) June 27, 2026
The 23-year-old has now played the Tigers five times in his short career, with his only loss to the side coming in his debut season, in 2022.
Across those five matches, he averages 35.8 disposals, over 10 contested possessions and more than a goal per game.
It's a stellar record.
Perhaps most pleasingly for Pies fans, though, the win moves the club back into the frame for September action, with the black and white now inside the wildcard places, at least for the time being.
While the football season can often experience a lull at this time of year, coach Craig McRae is determined to ensure his side build momentum through the biting Melbourne winter.
"We just feel like we've got a bit of momentum building. It's a nice time of the year to sort of get some things moving, and parts of our game I think are really starting to take shape in terms of things we're doing really well," McRae said.
"There's never an easy game in our eyes, but we get an opportunity to go out here today and I think we improved. It's only the second time this year we've hit the ton and as the game went on, it looked OK.
"We've got a big challenge next week in Gold Coast. It doesn't take much to get momentum in this game and all of a sudden you start to get the thing moving in the right direction. This is a really tight competition. You win three, four, five games in a row and you don't have to worry about the ladder position.
"We're very process driven. We've always been that, but we're very much aware that this is an important part of the year."
Tim Taranto (26 disposals, four goals), Jordan De Goey (27 disposals, one goal) and Dan Houston (28 disposals, one goal) also toiled manfully, in a game few will be rushing to rewatch, such was the sloppy skill execution and whimpering atmosphere offered by the 60,000 fans that braved the icy conditions.
The Tigers play host to another traditional rival on Saturday, renewing their acquaintance with a red-hot Carlton outfit, while the Magpies hit the road to face a Gold Coast Suns outfit in free fall, that same day.
