The sight of Nick Daicos patrolling the members’ wing to start the second half on Saturday night was strange at the time, and by game’s end a genuine head scratcher.

In what proved to be the pivotal quarter of the night, Daicos was positioned away from where the game was being decided. He touched the ball just six times. Adelaide slammed on six goals. Game over.

Wayne Milera pays close attention to Nick Daicos.Credit: AFL Photos

The new ruck rules have changed the game. Instead of the soft drop from wrestling rucks, there is now a greater hitting zone for the rucks who can run and jump at the ball.

This shift should, theoretically, favour nimble midfielders with fast feet like Daicos, who can zigzag in and out of the scrimmage into open space. Except Daicos was out of the hot zone, holding his width as is expected of the modern-day winger.

By the time he was in for his first centre bounce of the second half, the Crows had booted three goals in less than seven minutes and a margin that had been three points in the Pies’ favour just before half-time had stretched to nearly four goals.

Daicos’s 20 centre bounce attendances was the highest for Collingwood, barring ruckman Darcy Cameron, but it was those where he was absent that were most telling.

The Crows’ takeaways were pure, resulting in deep entries inside 50. Collingwood’s undermanned and undersized defence was powerless to divert the heavy traffic headed their way.

Craig McRae defended his use of superstar midfielder Nick Daicos against the Crows.Credit: Getty Images

Pies coach Craig McRae said Daicos’ removal from the centre square was part of the dealmaking that occurs at the initial throw-up, presumably when starting onballers flip and switch and an unguarded man is spat out of the wash. It did not work.

© The Sydney Morning Herald