𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟑 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟…. 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞

A stunned crowd at Marvel Stadium was left in disbelief today after Collingwood star Nick Daicos, widely regarded as one of the AFL’s brightest midfield talents, received a three‑year ban from all Australian Football League competition following a positive test for a prohibited substance.

Spectators, teammates and club officials were visibly emotional when the official sanction was announced mid‑afternoon, with many fans in tears as the news filtered through social media and stadium screens.

❗ What Happened

According to a statement released by Sport Integrity Australia, Daicos returned a positive result for a banned substance following routine testing last month — a result that triggered an immediate investigation under the AFL’s anti‑doping code.

The league confirmed Daicos was provisionally suspended while the matter was assessed. After the tribunal hearing earlier today, the adjudicators ruled that the evidence supported a three‑year ban, effective immediately. The decision bans him from all AFL‑sanctioned matches, training lists, and official club activities during the period of the suspension.

While specifics around the substance have not been publicly disclosed pending appeal rights, the ruling follows the league’s strict anti‑doping regime and mirrors penalties seen in other codes for similar breaches.

😢 Reactions at Marvel Stadium

Fans were emotional, with chants of “Nick! Nick! Nick!” briefly rising amid shouts of disbelief.

Collingwood teammates were seen consoling one another, some visibly upset over the loss of a teammate and friend.

Club officials kept a low profile as supporters slowly filed out of Marvel Stadium following the announcement.

🖋️ Club Statement

In an official statement, Collingwood Football Club expressed shock and “deep disappointment,” while confirming support for Daicos’ right to appeal the decision. The club reiterated its commitment to integrity and compliance with the AFL’s rules and procedures.

“The health, welfare and reputation of our players and the integrity of the game remain our highest priorities,” the statement read. “We will continue to support Nick and his family throughout this process.”

📊 What This Means for Collingwood

Daicos has been a cornerstone of the Magpies’ midfield engine, known for elite ball use, decision‑making and leadership on the field. His absence will be a significant loss:

Impact on midfield rotation and stoppage work

Leadership vacuum among younger players

Potential long‑term strategic shift in recruitment and game plan moving forward

🧠 AFL and Anti‑Doping Context

The AFL’s anti‑doping policy is overseen by Sport Integrity Australia, which applies strict liability standards: athletes are responsible for substances found in their bodies, regardless of intent. Recent years have seen a heightened focus on illicit and performance‑enhancing substances within Australian sport, with few positive test cases but rigorous enforcement when they occur.

📅 Next Steps

Daicos has 14 days to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Collingwood has indicated its intention to exercise all available rights on behalf of the player.

New leadership options and midfield restructures are expected to be discussed in depth by Collingwood’s coaching staff and list managers in the coming days.