Calls for Nick Daicos withdrawal as AFL rocked by awful news about Port and Demons stars

Collingwood fans are calling for star player Nick Daicos to withdraw from the pre-season State of Origin game after appearing in training with his leg strapped. This comes a Port Adelaide’s Ivan Soldo is set to miss the 2026 season, while Melbourne Demons star Jack Viney could miss up to three months of his club’s campaign as he prepares for surgery on his Achilles.

Daicos caught the attention of Magpies fans a few weeks ago when he appeared to leave training mid-session. While he returned, there has been some concerns around Daicos playing for Victoria in the returning State of Origin fixture against Western Australia.

The Collingwood midfielder finished the 2025 season with two injuries. Following Collingwood’s finals exit, Daicos revealed he was battling a PCL injury he suffered only days before the preliminary finals loss to the Lions.

He was also playing through bone stress in his right foot. Daicos returned to pre-season training after recovering with some rest doing him some good. However, Daicos was seen on Monday training with strapping on his leg.

Fears were quelled when Fox Sports reporter Drew Jones claimed the strapping was for a graze on his leg. Jones said Daicos has enjoyed a ‘flawless’ pre-season so far and is ready for the upcoming campaign. But this hasn’t stopped fans calling for Daicos to withdraw from the Origin game. Daicos admitted ahead of the clash he would be going in with a winning mentality. 

This has Collingwood fans concerned with the Magpies needing their star midfielder to have a chance of a premiership in 2026. Despite the calls, Daicos is expected to play in the clash at Optus Stadium where he will line-up alongside a star-studded Victorian outfit in the first Origin clash since 1999.

Ivan Soldo cops pre-season setbacks

Unfortunately for Port Adelaide, Soldo was hit with a devastating blow having ruptured his ACL in his right knee during training. Soldo has struggled for game time since leaving the Tigers and joining Port in 2024. The 29-year-old has only played eight games since the move and it appears he won’t take part in the 2026 season.

After winning the 2019 premiership with Richmond, he ruptured the ACL in his left knee in 2020. He moved in 2024, but has played second-fiddle to Port ruckman Jordan Sweet. This saw him only feature once last year. Regardless, this is a huge blow for Soldo and Port’s depth heading into the season.

Jack Viney injury a blow to Melbourne

Meanwhile, Melbourne star Viney will miss at least three months of the season as he prepares for surgery on his Achilles. Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary confirmed the injury, which is a major blow to Melbourne considering the losses they face to start the season.

Both Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver left the club ahead of the 2026 season. The loss of Viney will stretch Melbourne’s depth as they prepare for the upcoming campaign and look to improve on their 14th placed finish last season.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/calls-for-nick-daicos-withdrawal-as-afl-rocked-by-awful-news-about-port-and-demons-stars-015206187.html