Peter Daicos

Peter Daicos – AFL Icon & ‘The Macedonian Marvel’

Few players in AFL history have captured the imagination of fans quite like Peter Daicos. Nicknamed The Macedonian Marvel, Daicos was renowned for his freakish goal sense, uncanny ability to create something from nothing, and unmatched skill under pressure. His knack for slotting goals from impossible angles became his trademark — so much so that even today, similar feats are simply called “doing a Daicos.”

But Daicos was far more than just a brilliant forward. Recruited from Preston RSL, he began his career in the centre, where his balance, anticipation, and sublime ball-handling drew comparisons to legends like Darrel Baldock and Alex Jesaulenko. Across 250 games for Collingwood between 1979 and 1993, he amassed 549 goals, won two Copeland Trophies (1982, 1988), and topped the club’s goalkicking four times.

A regular Victorian State of Origin representative, Daicos reached the pinnacle of his playing career in 1990 as a key member of Collingwood’s drought-breaking premiership team — their first in 32 years. He was later named in the forward pocket of Collingwood’s Team of the 20th Century, a fitting tribute to a player who redefined what was possible on the football field.

Today, Peter Daicos is an engaging and inspiring speaker, sharing stories of skill, perseverance, and football brilliance. His legacy lives on — not only through his unforgettable highlights but also through his sons, Josh and Nick, who are now making their own mark in the AFL.