Collingwood star Josh Daicos on the milestone year ahead

Josh Daicos' name has become synonymous with Collingwood Football Club, a team he joined a decade ago, and continues to don the black and white stripes for in 2026.

A celebrated player recognised as one of the game’s most electrifying wingmen, Josh is set for a bright season and future ahead, and from impending nuptials to home renovations, there are plenty of special moments on the horizon on the personal front, too.

With the season now in full swing, here Josh discusses how he achieves his optimum state, reflects on career highlights to date, shares how he balances the demands of elite professional sport with a fulfilling life off the field, and reveals his off-season hangouts, to top Melbourne coffee picks.

How have you been preparing for the 2026 season?

I haven’t changed too much in my preparation for 2026 compared to other seasons. My off-season always starts with a focus on strength and power training with a coach I see in Moorabbin, Chris Povey.

It’s always a great period focusing a lot on building my strength in some key lifts. From then on, it’s all about building a big conditioning base and getting the football in my hands, which pre-season is perfect for. I’m feeling excited and optimistic about what we can achieve this year!

What are you most looking forward to, on and off the field this year?

I’m most looking forward to playing games again. The feeling of running up the race and through the banner gives me goosebumps, I love it! It is an amazing feeling and the best three hours of my week.

From an off-field lens, I have a lot of exciting milestones coming up personally. I’m counting down the days until I get married at the end of the year. I feel incredibly lucky to have found such an amazing partner and am so excited for the journey that’s ahead.

How and when did you know AFL was the path for you?

Probably around the age of 17. I first started playing for representative teams around that age and that was a real pivotal time in my football development. It showed me what could be, and was probably the first point I saw AFL as being a potential career path for me.

At that moment I realised it would be the absolute dream to have what I love doing most as my profession, and really decided to give it a shot around about then. It’s been quite the journey from first picking up a football from the age of around five to now, and my love for it has never wavered. I feel super grateful to participate in a sport that I enjoy so much.

What have your career highlights been so far?

Winning the Premiership in 23’ tops it. That was absolutely my most enjoyable year of football thus far, and one I reflect upon quite often.

We are forever bonded as a group because of what we achieved that day, and I love the teamwork it took to get us all there. That’s what you work towards every single season, so to have the chance to achieve that as a player was so monumental to me.

From training and game days to home renovations and business ventures, how do you balance it all?

To be honest I’m still learning how to balance it all, but I love it that way. I like to be constantly working towards new goals and opportunities that arise and like to always be chipping away at something.

Right now, I am definitely in one of the busiest periods of my life, which I feel super grateful for.

From my football to everything personally going on from the reno to our wedding coming up, they all fill up my cup, and I am loving the process of working away at each of them and seeing them come to life.

Any tips for others looking to do the same?

I think it’s important to set out clear goals and try not to procrastinate. You always feel better slowly chipping away at something rather than making it a stressful process! Always remember your ‘why’ too, and I feel like that helps you align yourself.

As a born and bred Melburnian, what are your favourite haunts and hidden hangouts?

I love spending time by the ocean, so my partner Anna and I often drive down to the peninsula or Lorne way to spend the day or night away from the hustle and bustle. It’s quite calm and quiet there and lets me refresh.

For a quicker break, I love a good coffee like most Melburnians, so I have a few spots I love to go to from Burnside to Cheeky Monkey, to Leaps & Bounds. I love the ritual of getting a coffee just as much as the coffee.

How would you describe a typical day, on and off-season?

During the off-season I love to travel to the Gold Coast. The beaches are unbeatable there, so I usually get up around 5am to catch the sunrise and get straight into the ocean. I like to train up there too, the overall vibe is super chill.

While obviously in season my week is based around game day that weekend most often, so I spend my time at the club, eating well and fuelling, and getting plenty of rest throughout the night. In season there is obviously a lot more routine which I enjoy as it helps me prepare.

Support Josh this season

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Visit us at Beverly before or after a match at the Magpies’ MCG home. We’re one stop from Richmond station, a 15-minute drive away from the heart of the action, and a leisurely 30-minute stroll from the ground.