A night meant to celebrate Collingwood's achievements turned dramatic when club legend Peter Daicos made a sudden exit from the Copeland Trophy ceremony, visibly upset by coach Craig McRae's remarks about his son.
The Incident That Sparked the Walkout
During Thursday evening's prestigious awards event at the Crown Palladium, coach Craig McRae attempted some light-hearted humour while presenting Nick Daicos with the Bob Rose Award for best finals player. However, his joke about the young superstar's contract situation failed to land well with one important audience member.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Peter Daicos, the 61-year-old Collingwood icon and father of Nick, immediately rise from his table and storm out of the venue after McRae's comment. The atmosphere in the room turned noticeably tense as the respected former player made his displeasure clear.
Family Loyalty Takes Centre Stage
The incident highlights the fierce protective instincts of a father, even when his son has established himself as one of AFL's brightest talents. Nick Daicos, at just 21 years old, has already become one of the league's highest-paid players after signing a massive contract extension through 2029.
"It was incredibly awkward," one attendee revealed. "One moment we're celebrating, the next Peter is marching out. You could feel the tension spread through the room."
McRae's Unfortunate Attempt at Humour
Coach McRae, who has built strong relationships with his players, appeared surprised by the strong reaction to his joke. The comment came during what should have been a proud moment for the Daicos family, with Nick receiving recognition for his outstanding finals performance.
The walkout raises questions about the boundaries of coach-player relationships and how even well-intentioned humour can misfire in high-stakes sporting environments where family pride runs deep.
Neither the Daicos family nor Collingwood officials have made official statements about the incident, leaving the football world speculating about potential fallout within one of AFL's most celebrated clubs.
