Buckley could debut AFL great’s son

Could this finally be the week Nathan Buckley unleashes the son of club legend Peter Daicos on the MCG?

The Magpies coach has promised three or four changes for Geelong’s trip to Melbourne and 18-year-old Josh is firmly in the mix.

Daicos was taken by Collingwood under the father-son rule with pick 57 in last year’s draft.

Since that day, anticipation has been high that the teenager would return the family name to the AFL stage.

He was close last week and was taken to South Australia as the travelling emergency for Collingwood’s loss to Port Adelaide.

Another father-son selection Callum Brown – son of former captain and flag-winner Gavin – played his third senior match at Adelaide Oval.

With time running out in the Magpies’ season, Buckley teased Daicos “could” see his name in Thursday’s team selection.

“He’s on the cusp as the carry over last week,” Buckley said.

Forward Kayle Kirby, who leads the VFL goalkicking in his first year, is another pressing for an MCG debut.

“He’s still got a way to go (but) what he does at VFL level he does very well,” Buckley said.

“It’s not all about kicks, marks and handballs but it is about playing a role for the side.

“Natural development we’re looking for.”

With senior players Scott Pendlebury, Levi Greenwood, Ben Sinclair, Travis Varcoe, Adam Oxley and Jordan De Goey done for the season, Buckley has welcomed the likely return to fitness of Daniel Wells (quad) and Will Hoskin-Elliott (hip).

Both trained strongly and Buckley said were likely to be named as inclusions for the side on Thursday, before an assessment on how they had recovered from training.

It hasn’t been a season to remember for the Magpies but Buckley is hopeful of continuing a solid month of form against the Cats.

Collingwood have won the last three games against Geelong.

“Our recent form is great but it’s not really going to count for a lot when we get to Saturday afternoon,” he said.

“They’re a legitimate top four team so it’s a good test for the players that take part.”

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