Collingwood’s Peter Daicos ambassador plan draws salary cap exploitation fears as Tasmania circles Nick Daicos

Key facts

• Nick Daicos is contracted to Collingwood until 2029 but is a prime target for Tasmania Devils, entering the AFL in 2028.
• Tasmania can offer up to $2.5 million per season outside the salary cap for marquee recruits.
• Peter Daicos was remunerated after his image appeared on a billboard without his knowledge before last year's best and fairest.
• Collingwood has discussed sending Peter Daicos to Adelaide for a coterie dinner and paying him a retainer as an ambassador.
• Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes say the ambassador role would be a way around the salary cap.
• Craig Hutchison asked if Collingwood is 'missing a trick' by not looking after Peter Daicos ahead of Nick's re-signing decision.

Lede: The salary cap question

Collingwood is exploring a paid ambassador role for club legend Peter Daicos, a move that AFL greats Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes have condemned as a thinly veiled attempt to circumvent the salary cap and retain his sons, Nick and Josh Daicos. The debate has reignited concerns about the Magpies’ ability to keep Nick Daicos, the superstar midfielder contracted until 2029, as the Tasmania Devils prepare to enter the competition in 2028 with unprecedented financial concessions.

Behind closed doors: Collingwood’s internal discussions

Caroline Wilson revealed on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters that conversations about ‘looking after’ Peter Daicos are happening among senior Collingwood figures. Wilson detailed how Peter Daicos discovered his image on a massive billboard in a heritage jumper while driving through Melbourne before last year’s best and fairest — an event that became infamous when Nick Daicos did not win and the Daicos parents left early. Peter contacted the club and was ‘rightly remunerated’ for the unauthorised use of his likeness. She also said Collingwood and Daicos management had discussed sending Peter to Adelaide to host a coterie dinner, and that there had been a suggestion to put him on a retainer as an official club ambassador — a role he already performs informally.

The Tasmania threat: $2.5 million per season

The urgency of the situation is driven by Tasmania’s impending entry into the AFL in 2028. The Devils will receive concessions allowing them to offer marquee recruits money outside the salary cap, potentially making Nick Daicos the highest-paid player in league history. Reports indicate Daicos could earn as much as $2.5 million per season beyond his current Collingwood deal if he moves to the Apple Isle. His existing contract runs through 2029, but the prospect of a record-breaking offer has put the Magpies on notice.

Pushback from AFL greats

Kane Cornes and Nick Riewoldt have forcefully rejected the ambassador proposal. Cornes asked directly: ‘Is this a way around the salary cap?’ Riewoldt replied: ‘That’s exactly what it is.’ Both argued that paying Peter Daicos as an ambassador would set a dangerous precedent, allowing other clubs to ‘exploit’ the system to retain star players through family members. The AFL has not yet commented on whether such an arrangement would be permissible under the salary cap rules.

Broader implications for the Daicos family

The discussions extend beyond Nick Daicos. Josh Daicos, also a Collingwood player, is part of the equation, as any ambassador role for Peter could help keep both brothers at the club. Craig Hutchison framed the dilemma plainly: ‘Are they missing a trick in not really looking after Peter Daicos the way they should in advance of that decision?’ Wilson confirmed that senior Collingwood people are actively considering how to involve Peter in commercial and hospitality activities to strengthen ties with the family.

What comes next

Collingwood faces a delicate balancing act. Any formal ambassador arrangement for Peter Daicos must be structured to avoid breaching the salary cap, while also addressing the family’s concerns about recognition and compensation. With Tasmania’s entry approaching, the clock is ticking. The AFL may need to clarify its rules on family-related payments to prevent a loophole that could reshape player retention strategies across the league. For now, the Daicos saga remains a high-stakes test of the competition’s integrity.

The bottom line

• Collingwood is internally discussing a paid ambassador role for Peter Daicos to help retain his sons Nick and Josh.
• AFL greats Nick Riewoldt and Kane Cornes say the plan would exploit the salary cap.
• Nick Daicos could be offered up to $2.5 million per season by Tasmania Devils, who enter the AFL in 2028.
• Peter Daicos was previously remunerated after his image was used on a billboard without his consent.
• The club has already involved Peter in coterie events and is considering a retainer arrangement.
• The AFL may need to clarify rules on family-linked payments to prevent a precedent for other clubs.