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COLLINGWOOD is keeping tightlipped about its interest in father-son prospect Josh Daicos, having given no indication to the clever forward about their plans come draft night.
The Pies will get first access to the son of club legend Peter Daicos at November's NAB AFL Draft as one of two father-sons available to them, alongside fellow Victorian Callum Brown (the son of former captain Gavin).
However, despite keeping close tabs on his development in recent years he has no feel for how they rate his chances of ending the year a Magpie.
"Dad playing there meant there was always going to be a bit of talk, and I've been in the father-son academy for a couple of years," Daicos told AFL.com.au at this week's NAB AFL Draft Combine.
"Collingwood have kept in touch with me but I don't really know where I sit, so like most kids I'll just be waiting. Nothing's certain so I'm not really sure what will happen."
This year has been Daicos' first in Victoria's top under-18 system, having played local football until last year. His form at the Oakleigh Chargers has been impressive – he twists, turns and rarely gets caught and makes sure all of his disposals have meaning and impact.
The 17-year-old said his father has been a guiding influence throughout his emerging career without putting any pressure on him.
"Dad has let (former Chargers coach) Mick [Stinear] and all the coaching staff at Oakleigh take care of my football. But he helps me with positioning and body use and all those types of things," Daicos said.
"He's never forced football on me but he's taught me about body positioning and all of these little tips. I've never really felt the pressure with Dad because I've always just seen him as Dad and he'll always be that for me."
It took some time for Josh to see his father as anything else. But that time came as a youngster, when a footy card swap went wrong at school and one of the 250-gamer's prized memorabilia collection went astray.
"At footy games we used to get stopped for photos all the time and I used to think that Dad just knew these people," he recalled.
"But there was a day in grade one where I traded one of his really good collector footy cards with a friend for a Gary Ablett card, and I think the card was worth about $100 and he wasn't too happy about that. That's when I realised he was pretty good. I think we got it back in the end."
Daicos showed flashes of his skill for the Chargers throughout their TAC Cup season and played three games for Vic Metro in the mid-year championships. Missing out on the first game "hurt", but he was pleased to return to feature in their division-one title win.
Last week he finished his season in top style in the NAB All Stars game with 18 disposals and he feels by the end of the year he has given himself a strong chance of making it to the next level.
"It's exciting and there is a bit of stress, but the combine is almost the last hurdle of our year. I'll get into exams and then have a bit of a break but on draft night I know I'll be very anxious," Daicos said.
"I started the year out pretty well being new to the system and my year's been up down at stages but I'm pretty happy with how it's gone."
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