Daicos, the son of Magpies legend Peter, was a unanimous choice for the gong, polling a maximum five votes from all 12 judges after what has been described as one of the best debut seasons in recent memory.
Geelong key defender Sam De Koning received four votes from all judges to finish second with 48 votes, ahead of Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe (35) and Magpies teammate Jack Ginnivan (21).
Playing all 22 games, Daicos’ sharp ball use and football smarts have been a major driver in Collingwood’s shock top-four berth, averaging nearly 26 disposals per game across half-back.
However, Newcombe denied Daicos a sweep of the rookie awards, winning the AFL Coaches Association’s Best Young Player award, judged on which first- or second-year player polled the most coaches votes throughout the season.
Carlton’s Charlie Curnow also claimed the Coleman Medal, having booted a competition-high 64 goals in the home-and-away season, becoming the second consecutive Blue to win the award following Harry McKay in 2021.
Richmond’s Liam Baker was named the AFL Players Association’s Most Courageous Player, named in honour of former footballer Robert Rose, who was left a quadriplegic in a car accident in 1974.
Full list of AFL Awards
AFL Rising Star: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year: Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) and Touk Miller (Gold Coast)
AFL Coaches Association Best Young Player: Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn)
AFL Players Association Best First Year Player: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Robert Rose Most Courageous Player: Liam Baker (Richmond)
AFL Players Association Best Captain: TBA
Leigh Matthews Trophy: TBA
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