Dick Reynolds. Denis Ryan. Brian Wilson. Tony Lockett. Gavin Wanganeen. Michael Voss. Chris Judd. Nick Daicos?
What would they all have in common if Daicos is awarded the AFL's highest individual honour at the end of 2023?
They would all have won the Brownlow Medal at 20 years of age or younger.
And, after an Anzac Day Medal performance where the youngster accumulated 40 possessions to go with his nine score involvements, six inside 50s and two clutch fourth-quarter goals, he storms into clear Brownlow Medal favouritism.
Daicos also leads the AFL Coaches Association votes by 12 after round six.
The son of Collingwood legend, Peter, is backing up his extraordinary debut season, where he collected the Rising Star and AFLPA Best First Year Player awards unanimously.
MORE: AFL Coaches Association 2023 votes
Not missing a single game since he debuted, Daicos has defied all expectations of what a young player should produce, soaring him toward rare air.
However, if Daicos was to claim 'Charlie' at the end of the year, his feat would sit slightly higher than some the champion names around him.
Reynolds won the Brownlow in his second season after only 31 senior games. Ryan joined him two years later after 36 games for Fitzroy.
Judd won it in his third AFL season. Wanganeen's third. Voss' fifth. Lockett's fifth.
2023 is Daicos' second year at the level, with the game arguably getting tougher and tougher to excel at.
So far in his 31 outings, the Magpie cult-figure has already dominated games and won them off his own boot, like his father.
Opposition clubs have tried to quell the influence of Daicos but have failed.
Could we be witnessing history?
Youngest Brownlow Medal winners
Year | Player | Club | Games (end of season) |
---|---|---|---|
1934 | Dick Reynolds | Essendon | 31 (2nd) |
2004 | Chris Judd | West Coast | 68 (3rd) |
1936 | Denis Ryan | Fitzroy | 36 (2nd) |
1993 | Gavin Wanganeen | Essendon | 61 (3rd) |
1996 | Michael Voss | Essendon | 79 (5th) |
1987 | Tony Lockett | Sydney | 93 (5th) |
1982 | Brian Wilson | Melbourne | 69 (5th) |