COLLINGWOOD superstar Nick Daicos has established himself in rare air by claiming the 2026 AFL Coaches Association AFL Champion Player of the Year Award, capping a remarkable season in which he established a new benchmark for Coaches’ votes.
Daicos finished the home-and-away season with 147 votes, ahead of Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli 109 votes, with Melbourne captain Max Gawn third place on 99 votes.
FULL VOTES & LEADERBOARD:
2026 AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION AFL CHAMPION PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The result sees Daicos become a two-time AFLCA Champion Player of the Year, adding the 2026 honour to the award he first won in 2024.
The Collingwood vice-captain entered the final four rounds of the season already on 125 votes, having broken the previous record for the most votes accumulated in a single season since the award began.
Daicos surpassed Richmond champion Dustin Martin’s previous benchmark of 122 votes, set during his extraordinary 2017 individual campaign.
It was another brilliant season from the 23-year-old, who continued to establish himself among the competition’s premier players through his ability to win the football, create scoring opportunities, impact stoppages and hit the scoreboard on a regular basis.
Daicos averaged a career-high 34.9 disposals, alongside 10.7 contested possessions, nine score involvements and one goal per game.
He collected at least 30 disposals in 18 of the 22 matches he played in, including three games of 40 or more possessions, highlighting a remarkable ability to operate at a level of consistency rarely seen before.
Daicos’ season was recognised repeatedly by the Coaches. His perfect 10-vote performance against Adelaide in Round 20 took him to 125 votes and made him the highest-polling player in a single season in the history of the award.
Daicos first won the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award in 2024, polling 117 votes. His second triumph places him among a select group of players to have won the prestigious coaches-voted award multiple times.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae praised Daicos for his influence on and off the field.
“Nick is the ultimate competitor and this award tonight is great recognition for the season he has had,” McRae said.
“We are incredibly proud of what he has achieved and even more so for the way he approaches his game in all phases. On-field and off-field, Nick sets the standard at our Club and is a wonderful leader. We want our program not just to develop great players, but incredible people and Nick really represents that.
“The whole of Collingwood congratulates Nick on what he has accomplished this year and in being recognised by all the AFL coaches.”
AFLCA CEO Alistair Nicholson congratulated Daicos on winning the award for a second time.
“Nick’s 2026 season has been exceptional and his recognition by the AFL’s coaches is thoroughly deserved,” Nicholson said.
“To establish a new single-season voting benchmark demonstrates the extraordinary level and, importantly, consistency of his performances throughout the year.
“The AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award is particularly meaningful because the votes are cast by the coaches immediately following each game. The 18 coaching groups have a unique view of the game and a deep understanding of the roles players are being asked to perform for their teams.
“For Nick to win this award for a second time at just 23 years of age is an outstanding achievement.
“On behalf of all AFL coaches, congratulations to Nick on being crowned the 2026 AFL Coaches Association AFL Champion Player of the Year.”
The AFL Coaches Association AFL Champion Player of the Year Award is voted on by the 18 AFL coaching panels on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis following each home-and-away match, recognising the players the coaches believe have had the greatest influence on each game.
ENDS
