Nick Daicos storms home to win the Brownlow Medal in crushing fashion

After consecutive runner-up finishes, and a third placing before that, Collingwood champion Nick Daicos is finally a Brownlow medallist.

Daicos’ major sponsor Nike boldly took out front-page newspaper ads on Monday featuring a photo of the star Magpie, the famous swoosh logo, and the word “Inevitable”.

The iconic brand ’s confidence was vindicated when the 23-year-old midfielder, wearing custom swoosh cufflinks, won in record-breaking style , beating dual winner Patrick Cripps’ extraordinary 2024 tally of 45 votes with a new count-high total (in the 3-2-1 system) of 47.

The shortest-priced favourite in the event’s history also set a new benchmark of 13 best-on-ground performances and polled in 18 of his 22 matches.

Daicos’ victory was sealed with three rounds to go – when he was 10 votes clear – and he eventually equalled Richmond legend Dustin Martin’s record winning margin of 11 votes from 2017, ending his multi-year run of being a beaten Brownlow favourite.

“I’ve learnt not to trust the betting markets,” Daicos said after receiving his Brownlow Medal from last year’s winner and former Carey Grammar teammate Matt Rowell.

“But, no, there is [relief]. It’s a massive award, and I’m so privileged to be up here. I can’t believe I’m a Brownlow medallist.”

Geelong superstar Bailey Smith (36 votes), Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (34), Melbourne skipper Max Gawn (28), North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel, Blue Patrick Cripps and Brisbane’s dual North Smith medallist Will Ashcroft (27) finished behind Daicos.

Sydney’s Isaac Heeney was a further vote back on 26 with Zak Butters, but was unable to attend the event after his role in the Pullman Hotel saga .

Speaking during the count, Bontempelli said Daicos was the AFL’s best player and had changed the sport with his ability to impact the game with pure hard work and his offensive skills.

Daicos revealed post-count that his brother and teammate Josh and father Peter – one of Collingwood’s all-time greats – were instrumental in him developing his famed work ethic.

Nick and Josh spent countless afternoons as teenagers with their dad at Greythorn Falcons honing their skills.

“I feel like from a young age, I probably had more talent [than others] and didn’t work as hard, and had some chats with Dad and Josh as I grew up,” he said.

“It was a realisation I wanted to play AFL, and that I needed to train harder. I walk into the club every day, and I’m immensely grateful to be an AFL footballer.