In the shadows of his superstar brother, Josh Daicos quietly went to another level in 2025. There's an argument to be made that he was snubbed of a spot in the 2025 All-Australian side as the 26-year-old thrived in his more permanent half-back role, attending just six per cent of centre bounces in 2025.
Daicos averaged 26.9 disposals per game this season - a career-high - and used the ball at an elite efficiency of 75.2 per cent. That's a ridiculous effort considering his increased volume of possessions and the fact that before 2025, Daicos hadn't come close to that efficiency since averaging 15.5 disposals in 2018.
Only Nick Daicos averaged more disposals per game than Josh in 2025, and despite an increased role in defence, Josh was still a regular contributor to Collingwood's speedy attack, averaging 5.0 rebound 50s per game and 4.8 score involvements.
So, what has elevated him from an important member of this Collingwood team to inarguably one of the main keys to their premiership hopes?
Daicos thanks his improvement to his defensive line mates, particularly the Pies' star recruits from the 2024 off-season.
"I really enjoyed training down back with Harry Perryman, Dan Houston and Darcy Moore," Daicos said at a press conference on Tuesday.
"We've got lots of leaders back there, and it's a great group every week. We really get after it in training, and it's very competitive.
"I've enjoyed playing down there... I feel like I'm the beneficiary of other players playing to their strengths."
The additions of Dan Houston and Harry Perryman haven't produced the eye-popping numbers that Bailey Smith and Matthew Kennedy have at their new clubs, but their importance to Collingwood's transition from defensive half cannot be understated.
The Pies ranked 15th for scoring chains beginning in their defensive half in 2024, but have jumped to ninth in the metric in 2025. While the likes of Houston and Perryman have had down years in their first season in black and white, it's hard to overlook their impact in this improved metric, as their ability to set up the Pies' counterattack has been sensational.
Josh and Nick combined for over 1,000 metres gained per game this season, a feat achieved by only seven other duos in 2025. It's clear that Daicos' ability to launch off the defensive efforts of the Pies' key defenders is what has driven Collingwood toward its second flag in three seasons and why his consistency in the backline has been pivotal.
But Josh has the versatility to become a midfield game-changer for the Pies when needed, as seen in his prolific fourth quarter against Gold Coast in Round 18, where his 16-disposal, two-goal term nearly stole the four points from the Suns' grasp.
“I pinch it in the midfield from time to time, which I love doing as well. I like having the flexibility in my game to play multiple positions, but wherever 'Fly' needs me, I'm always willing to play,” Daicos said.
“But I've loved my time down back this year, it's been awesome playing. We've got a lot of leaders down there who have been awesome for me to learn that role.”
Daicos' influence will undoubtedly need to be curbed by whoever wins Saturday night's semi-final between Brisbane and Gold Coast, because both clubs know far too well just how impactful the 2023 Copeland Trophy winner can be.
