Major Magpies boost as coach confirms star return

Collingwood looks set to get a massive preliminary finals boost with Nick Daicos in line to return to the team.

The 20-year-old superstar, who is considered in the running for the Brownlow Medal in his second AFL season, has been sidelined since round 21 with a hairline fracture in his knee.

But Magpies coach Craig McRae told media on Wednesday the young star will come into the side in place of Taylor Adams this week.

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The Magpies play the Giants at the MCG on Friday for a spot in the grand final.

https://twitter.com/bradeningram/status/1704303785244512593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Vice-captain Adams was ruled out of the preliminary final after suffering a hamstring injury on Friday at training.

The Magpies have also been monitoring All-Australian defender Darcy Moore, who's been battling a hand injury, but he looks certain to take the field on Friday.

Daicos played 45 straight games since making his AFL debut last year in what was his rookie season.

His knee injury forced him out of the last three games of this season – plus the first final – but he was still named in the All-Australian team.

Bookmakers have Daicos as favourite to win this year's Brownlow Medal next week, slightly ahead of Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli.