AFL 2024 round eight LIVE updates: Nick Daicos the hero as Collingwood holds off Carlton

Carlton’s forwards get plenty of attention but they were starved of opportunities by Collingwood tonight as shown by the inside 50s stat which the Magpies won 61-38.

That is a huge difference. If anything, it also shows the determination of the Blues to stay in this match despite their struggles to push forward.

Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury and Lachie Sullivan spoke to Seven post-game.

To your debut here tonight, is it everything that you imagined it would be and more?

LS: Everything and more, I reckon. Pretty unbelievable. I was thinking it would be another draw for a while. To come up with a win against such a great club like Carlton, to play for an amazing club like Collingwood, unbelievable.

What about your luck? You worked hard to get there, but 2.5 minutes into your first game of AFL footy, you slot that goal. Talk us through that moment.

LS: I think I just got lucky, right place, right time. The ball spilled out. I just kicked it when I got it. Lucky it went in, pretty. It was good. It was amazing, cool.

SP: He’s pretty modest, but to be working 6.5 years, only on our list 10 weeks, but the amount of work he’s done behind the scenes to be ready to come out here, know his stuff, I think seeing how excited the boys were for him when he kicked that goal, we come from everywhere. I’m super proud of him. He has fit in really well.

What was your goal celebration about?

SP: I do a bit of coaching at school footy. On Thursday night, the boys asked me to do that. So, yeah. I didn’t really feel too comfortable doing it. I know they will get a laugh out of it tomorrow when I see them.

Lachy, there’s so many players around the country, in all seriousness, the hope and dream to play AFL footy. The grit, determination, you are a real inspiration. You must be real proud of your journey.

LS: I think so. It’s been a long journey. There was plenty of times I didn’t think it would happen. After all the disappointment, you’ve just got to keep going. It might take a bit longer for some people. I guess it did for me. To be called something like that is pretty amazing. It’s an honour really.

Collingwood star Nick Daicos spoke to Seven post game.

Daicos won the Richard Pratt Medal as best player on the ground.

Nick Daicos, thoughts, feels, emotions when you saw that ball go through the big sticks?

It is good. Credit to Carlton. These games always seem to go right down to the wire. I think we know they will be there late in September. What a game, hope everyone enjoyed watching it.

Seriously, emotions when you saw that goal get kicked?

It was a good feeling. We missed a couple before it. You start to get a little bit nervous. I’m just lucky it went through.

What about the stage, the rivalry, of course. Do the four points taste that little bit sweeter against a quality side like Carlton?

For sure. I think both teams set themselves up playing against each other. Look at the crowd we draw. Right from the outset, it was just game on. It was awesome. As I said, just grateful to be out here.

It’s the biggest home-and-away crowd for these two sides in the history of these two sides in the history of the game. What’s the most pleasing aspect for you? You’re a couple of key Cogs down, particularly through the midfield group. Plus 23 inside 50, you were never out of the contest.

I think that’s it. We had obviously some superstars out this game. I think our ability for that next mentality, we had Lachlan Sullivan debut on the bench, when he kicked his first goal, said good luck, next minute he was kicking his goal with his first kick. The boys were unbelievable tonight, same as Harvey Harrison.

He was on the ground 2.5 minutes before he kicked his first AFL goal. In that moment, he only got signed up to the footy club 10 weeks ago. What’s he been able to do to earn the right to debut quite quickly at the club?

The perseverance, I think it is such a great story. I think it’s been, as you said, seven or eight years. Didn’t get drafted, has come in, played such an integral role for us in front of 90,000. It’s pretty special.

The Daicos’ were in the box, dad went absolutely nuts when you kicked that goal. Got a message for him?

Keep celebrating. I hope he enjoyed it.

Nick Daicos has kicked a goal in the final minute to give his club a close victory over Carlton in front of more than 88,000 fans at the MCG this evening.

The Magpies were too organised in the last two minutes, keeping the ball in their forward line with the scores tired until Daicos found room and kicked the winner.

Nick Daicos has found space after a throw in and sprinted towards goals, booting his major from the right pocket.

There is 63 seconds left. Can Collingwood hold on?

Pies 85, Blues 79 with 63 seconds left.

There is about a minute left and the ball is trapped in Collingwood’s forward line.

Huge moment.

Matt Cottrell just loves to bob up and kick a goal when the game is on the line.

The unfashionable pressure forward just levelled the scores. Now we will see if Carlton or Collingwood can bolt for victory.

Pies 79, Blues 79 with three mins to go.

Jack Crisp’s point with five minutes to go has made Collingwood’s lead now six points.

The draw is in play!

Pies 79, Blues 73 with five mins to go.

Pendlebury has put the Magpies up by three points after sneaking into space and kicking a goal.

He is still a clutch player for the Magpies.

Pies 76, Blues 73 with nine mins to go.

This is the biggest ever home-and-away crowd between Carlton and Collingwood. Brilliant result for both clubs.