Craig McRae has proclaimed he will tell his grandkids he coached Nick Daicos after the AFL superstar's extraordinary second quarter helped inspire Collingwood to pinch a one-point win over the wasteful Brisbane Lions.
The Magpies' AFL premiership defence remains alive after they pulled off a trademark heist with the final three goals of the match at the MCG to inflict more pain on the Lions, who they pipped by four points in last year's epic grand final.
Unlike the 2023 decider, Collingwood never looked like winning as Brisbane led all game, until Beau McCreery snapped the match-winner at the 29-minute mark of the final quarter.
Once they got in front, the Magpies' nous in tight games won out as they prevailed 11.13 (79) to 11.12 (78) in front of 61,218 fans.
Oft-maligned recruit Lachie Schultz also stepped up late with two crucial goals, before McCreery slotted the match-winner.
The Lions exploded out of the blocks with the first four goals of the match to lead by as much as 31 points late in the first quarter.
But Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos produced one of the all-time great quarters to boot two goals and gather 13 possessions in the second term to lift the Magpies back in the contest.
"Wow, I think I'll tell my grandkids I coached Nick Daicos," Magpies coach McRae said.
"That's going to be one of the great stories when I'm older. What a player.
"It's just nice to see someone impose himself on the game.Â
"We're all on the bench, not laughing, but just going, 'wow!'. We're all in awe.
"We've got front-row seats to the Nick Show, and he's a remarkable player."
The Magpies can still finish in the top eight should they beat Melbourne on Friday night, and other results fall their way on Sunday and next weekend.
Brisbane were made to pay for blowing a number of gettable chances during the third quarter through Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey and Will Ashcroft to leave Collingwood just 14 points behind at the final break.
The Lions appeared home when Charlie Cameron's clever snap put them 17 points in front at the 20-minute mark of the final quarter.
Brisbane spearhead Joe Daniher then had the opportunity to bury the Magpies, but he sprayed a set shot and his chance at his fifth goal of the match to leave the door ajar for a trademark Collingwood comeback.
After winning six straight games against Collingwood, the Lions have had three painful losses in a row against the Magpies, including last year's grand final by four points.
The Lions’ hopes of securing a top-four finish appear shot, with this result coming on the back of a defeat to GWS at the Gabba last Saturday.
Lions midfielder Jarrod Berry was subbed out in the second quarter with hamstring tightness, replaced by wingman Harry Sharp.
Brisbane will complete their home-and-away campaign at the Gabba next Saturday night when they host Essendon.
"The players are very disappointed. We're very disappointed," Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
"It was a game where, when we had momentum, we should have taken our shots more than we did, particularly in that third quarter.
"Margins of three goals aren't big margins in footy anymore. They can be cut back pretty quickly."
