With a premiership medal hanging around his neck, Nick Daicos has well and truly vanquished any disappointment of missing out on the Brownlow Medal.
The Collingwood wunderkind capped off a remarkable first two seasons of AFL football by racking up a game-high 29 disposals and kicking the opening goal as the Magpies defeated Brisbane in Saturday's grand final.
With it, Daicos and older brother Josh, both father-son selections, joined Collingwood legend father Peter as Magpies premiership players.
"Unbelievable. I don't think it's fully sunk in. This'll be the best few days of my life," Daicos, 20, told AAP.
"This is everything I've worked towards, all the hard work.
"We play a team sport, this is why we do it and I'm so glad to be a part of it."
The triumph came just six days after Daicos was third in the Brownlow, won by Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale.
The hairline fracture to his right knee suffered in round 21 scuppered his Brownlow hopes, and almost his season.
"With bone healing you don't know how it's going to be managed and how it's going to heal," Daicos said.
"There was definitely some times of doubt but I'm so glad I'm back.
"I guess it's one of those things.
"Lachie's a very deserving winner, he had an outstanding season
"For me, getting back into the club on a Tuesday's the best thing, getting amongst the boys and getting back to work."
With a premiership medal, 2022 Rising Star winner Daicos caps off a season that included his first All-Australian guernsey.
He delighted in reaching the summit alongside older brother and All-Australian winger Josh.
"Amazing. Something I'll cherish for all my life," Daicos said.
"This is why we play a team sport, not only to share it with Josh but share it with all my brothers."
Peter Daicos was captured on camera holding a 'side by side' sign before the game started, before cheering on his two sons.
"You've got no control when you're in the stands. You can't contribute to outcomes," he said.
"When you're in the stands and riding every bump it just sort of plays out.
"You wish you were out there supporting them and helping them out but it doesn't work that way, does it? So that's the hardest part."
The oldest Daicos, a 1990 premiership player, delighted in his sons joining him in a special club.
"There's a few clubs that have been a bit spoiled, but in my life of 60-odd years I've been involved in one and now the boys are involved," he said.
"They don't come around every day. So I'm really pleased overall."
