Nick Daicos Wins the 2026 Brownlow Medal: What It Means for His Cards
Nick Daicos has finally won the Brownlow, and he did it with a record 47 votes. Here's what the win adds to his legacy, and what collectors should make of it.
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It took five seasons, but the most predictable plot twist in footy is official. On Monday night, Nick Daicos became the 2026 Brownlow Medallist. But the Collingwood midfielder did more than just win the medal, he broke the record for the most votes in Brownlow history.
A Record-Breaking Win
Daicos polled 47 votes, beating Patrick Cripps' record of 45 votes in 2024 to earn the most in the 3-2-1 era. Bailey Smith finished second on 36 and Marcus Bontempelli third on 34.
He polled in 18 games, including 13 best-on-grounds and a record six straight three-vote games. And after finishing third in 2023 and runner-up in 2024 and 2025, he's now the first player to poll 30+ votes in three separate seasons.
Why This Adds to the Legacy
Nick Daicos is 23 years old, and he's already got a Brownlow and a 2023 premiership. He's also the first Collingwood medallist since Dane Swan in 2011 and the son of Magpies great Peter Daicos. Collectors love a story that runs deep, and this one goes back to the glory days of his dad’s 1990 premiership..
So, What Does It Mean for His Cards?
Fair question, because Daicos has been the Brownlow favourite for years, and plenty of collectors will argue this win was already priced in.
But a record-breaking medal at 23, with a long career still ahead, doesn't come around often, and milestone seasons are usually the ones collectors come back to. A numbered, signed or patched 2026 Nick Daicos card is almost certainly going to be worth more than a 2024 or ‘25. As always, there’s no guarantees. Condition, print runs and demand all matter. But while the Pies might have missed the finals this year, Nick Daicos values are soaring after last night’s win.
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