Steve Smith in the 2019 Ashes Test series. Lebron James and the early Cleveland Cavaliers teams. Joe Burrows leading the Cincinnati Bengals to Super Bowl LVI. Gary Ablett Jr and the Gold Coast Suns.
And Nick Daicos and the Collingwood football club.
The greatness of all five supreme athletes will and should never be understated, but their heroics, time and time again, leads to a glaring issue.
Where's the help?
Nothing should be taken away from Daicos' unbelievable performance on Thursday night against Carlton. A quick recap: 39 disposals (13 in the final term), eight clearances (four in the last), nine score involvements (five in the final term), eight inside 50s (four in the last) ... and goal in the final term, too.
Extraordinary. He closed like the grim reaper, which commentator Gerard Whateley ironically labelled Collingwood as it stole the victory in Round 23, 2022, against the Blues, ultimately knocking them out of the finals.
But without the little maestro's monumental effort, which is a common occurrence, it's unimaginable where the Pies would be. For certain, they wouldn't have won as many games. Probably even the premiership.
The same can be said for the 2019 Australian Test team, when Smith scored 774 runs - 333 more than the next best - to retain the Ashes in an England tour. He scored at an average of 110.57.
Burrows' breakout 2021 season led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports. Cincinnati appeared in the Super Bowl, their first since 1988. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams.
James, an NBA superstar, an icon, carried the Cavaliers during his first stint with the organisation, losing the NBA Finals in 2006-07 to the San Antonio Spurs with a relatively weak team, especially in comparison to the lists
And Ablett, who has been heavily linked to Daicos, took on his own hero path when joining the AFL's expansion club, winning a Brownlow medal in Suns colours.
Daicos has joined them.
Underneath the Collingwood star lies a lot of talent, but rarely anyone willing to step up.
Veterans Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jack Crisp and Jamie Elliott have had their fair share of steering the ship, altering games on their own accord.
Jordan De Goey has teased Pies fans throughout his career, and despite an unblemished pre-season, hasn't lit the world alight with his immense talent.
The middle-age profiles at Collingwood, such as Patrick Lipinski, Josh Daicos, Isaac Quaynor, Dan Houston, Harry Perryman, Brayden Maynard, Lachie Schultz and Beau McCreery are handy contributors in their own right. But will they take steps toward becoming match-winners? A-grade players? The elite of the elite?
Daicos' influence and extreme significance was on show when he was a late withdrawal against Brisbane.
In a system revolving around the 23-year-old, his exclusion was a real difference.
The reigning premiers were very gettable after a scratchy start, and with many key outs, they were primed for the killing.
But as the result came to fruition, a red alert came: No Daicos, no Collingwood. It's a scary thought that consistently rings true.
It would no doubt play into the psyche of his teammates. "If Nick isn't out there, are we any chance?" It's natural. It's understandable. He's a star.
Yes, the best players are meant to stand out and make an impact.Yes, the best players rise in big moments — but even they have limits.
Ablett returned to Geelong; James moved to Miami; Smith didn't maintain his test batting rage; the Bengals and Burrow dropped away from playoff contention.
How long can Daicos - and Collingwood - keep it up?
