Eddie McGuire Vows to Award Nick Daicos His Own Medal After State of Origin Snub
Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has declared he will "bring his own medal" for Nick Daicos after the Collingwood superstar missed out on best on ground honours in the revived AFL State of Origin clash. The controversy erupted following Victoria's 18.17 (125) to 15.11 (101) victory over Western Australia at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, witnessed by 58,141 fans.
Medal Decision Sparks Widespread Debate
Much of the post-match discussion centred on who should have claimed the prestigious EJ Whitten Medal. Lachie Ash was named the official winner after collecting 25 disposals and 498 metres gained, with the selection panel praising his impact when the match was under pressure. However, many believed Daicos, who finished with 38 disposals, seven clearances, and a goal, was the standout performer on the ground.
Social media lit up within minutes of the medal announcement, with fans expressing disbelief. One supporter posted: "Nick Daicos gets the 2nd highest disposals in a state of origin game, leads the clearances, makes 7 tackles, kicks a goal, nah let's give it to a half back flanker." Another noted: "Not saying Lachie Ash played a bad game last night, but even the AFL website had Nick Daicos at number one best player on the ground."
McGuire's Fiery Reaction and Humorous Comparison
McGuire made his position abundantly clear in a statement to News Corp. "I'm going to bring my own medal and present it to Nick before the game and then everyone else can play for the rest," he declared. The former Collingwood president doubled down with a tongue-in-cheek comparison that raised eyebrows, suggesting: "It's a bit like the Cleo Bachelor of the Year or Australian Idol … the real stars are the runner-up."
McGuire revealed he had been sitting near Ted Whitten during the match and believed Daicos' name was expected to be called. "The funny thing is I sat next to Ted Whitten all night and he was expecting to say Nick at the end. We were calling him 'EJ' in the stands," he added, referencing the medal's namesake.
Coach Defends Unanimous Panel Decision
Victoria coach Chris Scott defended the unanimous decision, emphasising that Ash's influence came when the contest was at its fiercest. "We had Lachie in a group with Daicos, Butters and Bontempelli," Scott explained. "But in the end we thought when the game was really hot and we were under pressure, that Lachie was the most influential."
The comments added fuel to an already heated debate among fans, with some praising the panel for looking beyond pure possession numbers, while others insisted Daicos or Marcus Bontempelli were clear best on ground. The controversy highlights the subjective nature of individual awards in team sports and ensures the EJ Whitten Medal decision will be discussed for weeks to come.
