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AAP
AAP
Shayne Hope

Daicos plots way around Dunkley AFL grand final tag

Collingwood star Nick Daicos is expected to be a marked man against Brisbane in the AFL grand final. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Nick Daicos plans to use his versatility to his advantage if the Brisbane Lions send Josh Dunkley to tag him during the AFL grand final.

Dunkley is in strong form after blunting Carlton captain Patrick Cripps for the second time this season in their preliminary final encounter.

Collingwood superstar Daicos - or perhaps explosive Magpies midfielder Jordan De Goey - could be in his sights in Saturday's MCG decider.

Daicos said he has "no idea" if Dunkley will shadow him but is prepared for close attention regardless.

"I'm pretty focused on how we can approach it as a team," Daicos said.

"I'll try and bring my A-game, I can play a variety of positions, so I'll test him out that way if Josh comes to me."

Former Western Bulldogs midfielder Dunkley has been integral to Brisbane's success so far this season.

Lions coach Chris Fagan heaped praise on his charge after his heroics in last Saturday's Gabba preliminary final.

"What a fantastic job he did on Cripps, who's a champion player," Fagan said.

"He stuck with him all the way, won a bit of the ball himself and put enormous pressure on."

Collingwood's thrilling one-point win over GWS in their preliminary final was Daicos' first match in almost seven weeks after he recovered from a hairline fracture in a knee.

The 20-year-old star started on the bench but worked his way into the game, finishing with 28 disposals and six clearances in an influential display.

"It was nice to get a game under the belt going into the grand final and just a bit of confidence," Daicos said.

"I got a bit of the match fitness back too. I played the whole last quarter and was pretty tired, as a lot of the boys were.

"Definitely I think I'll be better for the run and I'm excited for Saturday."

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