In a blockbuster move that has sent shockwaves through the AFL landscape, superstar midfielder Nick Daicos has officially put pen to paper on a three-year contract with the Geelong Cats, reportedly worth $127.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in the history of Australian Rules Football.
The deal, confirmed by sources close to the Cats’ management on Monday afternoon, marks a seismic shift in the competition’s power balance. Daicos, 22, has been one of the most coveted midfield talents in the league since his debut, combining elite ball-winning ability with calm decision-making and a flair for big moments.
Geelong’s president said the club had been “strategically planning” for this acquisition for months, aiming to bolster its squad as it pushes for a sustained premiership window. “We believe Nick is the missing piece that elevates this team to genuine flag contention,” he said in a club statement. “His leadership, skill and professionalism are exactly what the Cats stand for.”
For Daicos, the move represents a new chapter in what has already been a stellar career. Drafted under the father–son rule at Collingwood, he quickly established himself as one of the competition’s premier midfielders, earning All-Australian honours and drawing Brownlow Medal attention every season. His decision to join Geelong has been described by insiders as “well-considered,” with the player seeking both a fresh challenge and the opportunity to contribute to a club with a rich recent finals pedigree.
The financial terms of the contract are unprecedented in AFL history. At an average of $42.5 million per year, Daicos will dwarf the earnings of most of his peers, reflecting both his star status and the increasing commercial value of elite AFL talent. While AFL players’ salaries are rarely disclosed in full, industry analysts say this represents a dramatic escalation and could reshape future negotiations for top-tier players.
Collingwood supporters have reacted with a mix of disbelief and gratitude, with many taking to social media to thank Daicos for his contributions at the Pies and wish him well in his next chapter.
Geelong fans, meanwhile, are ecstatic, with banners and chants already appearing on fan forums and in team colours across social platforms. With Daicos now in the fold, the Cats are tipped by many pundits to become immediate premiership contenders.
As the AFL world digests this monumental deal, one thing is clear: Nick Daicos’s move to Geelong will be one of the defining stories of the decade in Australian Rules Football.
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