It was a game within a game, and all eyes were on Ed Langdon and Nick Daicos during Big Freeze 11 and Monday's King's Birthday clash at the MCG.
The Collingwood champion has become accustomed to run-with players, but the Demons speedster proved to be more difficult than most.
A role that was earmarked a "few weeks ago" by Demons coach Simon Goodwin, Langdon was gearing up to take Daicos down, whilst also giving his team the best chance to cause an upset.
Following the first centre bounce, the Melbourne winger ran straight to the Brownlow Medal fancy, essentially ignoring where the football was and joining the No.35 at the hip.
Goodwin, in preparation for the marquee clash, felt Langdon was perfectly suited for the role on Daicos, given his running prowess and diligence in team-first responsibilities.
"We've got enormous respect for Nick," Goodwin said post-game.
"He's a really important player, and we thought Ed (Langdon) is such a diligent player, and also an enormous tank, and enormous speed.
"And they're two things you need when you're playing against Nick Daicos.
"Credit to Ed, he put a lot of time into preparing for that role, and he got the job done. Obviously, Nick didn't have the impact he'd normally have, and it gave us a great chance to win the game."
Daicos was limited to 19 possessions, eight clearances, six inside 50s, four tackles, four score involvements and a goal.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae lauded Langdon's efforts immediately after the game onย Fox Footy'sย AFL 360.
"He did a great job," McRae told AFL 360.
"It's challenging because it's all contest, and it's hard to get space. Nick's biggest weapon is when he's running, and Langdon is an elite runner. But we didn't really get the ball into open spaces to allow Nick to be at his best.
"There comes a time when you've just got to do your job, and we thought Nick fought it out pretty well in the second half."
It was only the second time Daicos dipped under 20 possessions this season, with Fremantle's Corey Wagner also restricting the 22-year-old to 18 touches in Round 9.
GWS' Toby Bedford would be confident in getting the honours in Opening Round, when much was made of Daicos' inability to have his usual impact.
But as most teams in the league have figured out, "if one Daicos doesn't get you, the other will", and on Monday, it was Josh's turn to shine.
The older brother was rewarded with the Neale Daniher Trophy for best afield, collecting a game-high 34 disposals, 11 marks, seven score involvements and 545 metres gained from the half back.
"It's a nice duo, isn't it?" McRae said.
"Josh has had an enormous year. He starts on the bench, comes on, and looks like a different player to everyone on the ground."
