- Some supporters felt Nick Daicos milked a free kick
- Vision proves the Magpies star wasn’t at fault
- Collingwood beat Demons to guarantee finals footy
A second camera angle has proven Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos wasn’t at fault following an incident with Melbourne Demons midfielder Ed Langdon on Friday night at the MCG.
Initially many footy fans were enraged that Daicos was awarded a free kick given he instigated the contact on Langdon, tackling him over the boundary line.
But as both players rose to their feet, the Demons veteran deliberately kept hold of Daicos’ foot, causing him to lose balance.
He was then shoved by Melbourne’s Jai Culley, meaning Daicos wasn’t at fault.
The Magpies went onto win a thriller by six points to ensure they will play finals footy this season and possibly finish inside the top four.
Coach Craig McRae was understandably relieved post game given his team’s alarming recent dip in form.
‘There were critical moments, but you could see we just had a will to win,’ he said.
‘We’ve got a pulse now. We are alive.’
A second camera angle has proven Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos (right) wasn’t at fault following an incident with Melbourne Demons midfielder Ed Langdon on Friday night
Initially many footy fans were enraged that Nick Daicos was awarded a free kick given he instigated the contact on Langdon
Footage clearly shows the Demons veteran actually held the midfielder’s ankle (pictured, right) before he was shoved to the turf
A sour note for the Magpies was a groin injury to defender Jeremy Howe, who failed to finish the contest.
The 35-year-old appeared to tell club medical staff he felt his groin pop, with scans to determine the full extent of the damage.
‘When you hear a pop, that normally means you’ve twanged it pretty good,’ AFL legend Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.
‘I’d be very concerned as a Collingwood supporter after seeing him say, ‘I heard a pop.’ That is a genuine concern.’
McRae remains hopeful Howe has avoided major damage.
‘The adductor injury can be somewhat on the minor end at times,’ he said.
‘They tend to heal quickly, but we won’t know until we get the scan. ‘He may be a sneaky chance for the first final – I’m not sure.’
Howe, who was in All-Australian calculations during the first half of the season, has also been sidelined with a hamstring injury and concussion in recent weeks.
