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Nick Daicos crowned No 1 by peers with AFL MVP honour at just 22

Collingwood vice-captain Nick Daicos joins an elite list as the youngest AFLPA MVP since 2004, marking a career milestone that cements his place among football’s greats.

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Nick Daicos crowned AFL MVP 2025 as youngest star since Riewoldt
Nick Daicos beams with pride after being crowned the AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player for 2025.

In a night that will go down as one of the proudest in the history of the Collingwood Football Club, young vice-captain Nick Daicos was officially crowned the AFL Players’ Most Valuable Player (MVP) for 2025. The announcement came at the prestigious AFL Awards held at Melbourne’s Centrepiece on Thursday evening, where the 22-year-old midfielder’s name drew thunderous applause.

The achievement is historic. Daicos now becomes the youngest MVP winner since Nick Riewoldt in 2004 and only the fourth youngest in the award’s long history. To place this milestone in perspective, his name is etched alongside some of the most revered figures in Australian rules football, proving just how far he has come in just four professional seasons.

Following Collingwood legends

Daicos also joins a select group of Collingwood players who have captured this title in the past. Club great Darren Millane was the first to secure it in 1990, followed by Dane Swan in 2010 and Brianna Davey in 2021. To now have Daicos’ name in that company underlines his swift rise to stardom and his impact on the game.

Nick Daicos crowned AFL MVP 2025 as youngest star since Riewoldt

Daicos reacts to MVP recognition

Speaking after receiving the award, Daicos expressed both gratitude and disbelief at joining such a prestigious list.

“It’s a huge honour to be awarded this year’s MVP,” Daicos said with emotion.
“There are so many impressive footballers in the game at the moment, people who I get to play both with and against, and the list of previous winners is quite an overwhelming group to join. I’m very grateful for what I get to do each week, and to be recognised by my fellow players.”

That humility reflects not just a champion athlete, but also the character that makes him beloved among AFL fans.

A season of record-breaking numbers

Daicos’ award did not come out of sentiment—it was backed by pure statistics. Playing every home and away game of the 2025 season, he averaged:

  • 30.4 disposals per game
  • 10.6 contested possessions
  • 8 score involvements per match

Leading the league with an extraordinary 699 disposals, Daicos set a new benchmark for consistency. His career-high of 43 disposals against Fremantle Football Club in Round 19 stands as a showcase of his dominance in midfield.

Nick Daicos crowned AFL MVP 2025 as youngest star since Riewoldt

These numbers reflect not only natural talent but also a relentless work ethic. Analysts say his vision and football IQ allow him to dictate games in ways few others can.

Praise from Collingwood’s leadership

Collingwood’s Executive General Manager of Football, Charlie Gardiner, praised Daicos’ influence on and off the field.

“To be awarded the AFL Player’s Most Valuable Player award in only his fourth year in the game is an outstanding achievement that he and his family should be incredibly proud of,” Gardiner said.

He further highlighted Daicos’ dedication:
“His talent is obvious for everyone to see – but his work ethic, competitiveness and commitment to being the best he can be is beyond impressive. Nick is a tremendous ambassador and leader at our Club and continues to set the standards in our football program.”

The youngest star in a big league

At just 22, Daicos is not merely winning awards but redefining what young players can achieve in the AFL. His MVP crown confirms him as the next face of the competition—a torchbearer who is expected to inspire a new generation of footballers.

Nick Daicos crowned AFL MVP 2025 as youngest star since Riewoldt

Observers note that Daicos has inherited not only skill but also the spirit of leadership from his family legacy, as he is the son of Peter Daicos, another Collingwood legend. The younger Daicos is now carving out his own path while embracing the club’s proud tradition.

What comes next?

While Daicos is expected to feature prominently in future All-Australian teams and perhaps even in Brownlow Medal discussions, what excites fans most is that his peak years still lie ahead. If this season was any indication, the Collingwood vice-captain could well become one of the greatest players of the modern era.

For Collingwood supporters, this MVP win feels like destiny fulfilled. For the AFL community, it’s a reminder that the game always finds new heroes. And for Daicos himself, it’s just the beginning.

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Saka’s Moment of Glory Sends Arsenal to Champions League Final After 20 Years… but Can Arteta Finish the Job?

Bukayo Saka’s late first-half strike seals a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid as Arsenal book a 2-1 aggregate victory and return to the Champions League final for the first time since 2006.

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Arsenal Reach UCL Final After 20 Years | Saka Scores Winner vs Atletico Madrid
Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the decisive goal against Atletico Madrid to send Arsenal into the Champions League final.

LONDON: For a club that has spent nearly two decades chasing European redemption, the moment finally arrived under the lights at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are back in the UEFA Champions League final, ending a 20-year wait with a disciplined and emotionally charged 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

The night belonged to Bukayo Saka, the homegrown star who once joined Arsenal’s academy as a child and is now carrying them to football’s grandest stage. His 45th-minute strike — a composed finish after a rebound from Leandro Trossard’s effort — proved decisive, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory in the semi-final tie.

Saka’s reaction after the final whistle captured the emotion of the moment better than any statistic. Laughing as he was pulled away for a broadcast interview, he told Amazon Prime Video coverage: “You’re taking me away from the celebrations, man… it is so beautiful. You see what it means to us and the fans.”

ALSO READ : 20 Years Later… Arsenal at the Brink of History: Arteta’s Men Storm into Champions League Final After 1-0 Thriller vs Atletico Madrid

It was a rare night where sentiment and structure collided perfectly for Arsenal. While Saka delivered the breakthrough, it was the team’s defensive discipline that ensured survival. The Gunners have now kept a clean sheet at home across all three knockout rounds, continuing a remarkable European run where they conceded just four goals in the entire league phase.

Manager Mikel Arteta has often spoken about building resilience as much as attacking identity, and this performance reflected exactly that philosophy. Arsenal absorbed pressure from Atletico Madrid’s experienced European core and refused to break under tension.

ALSO READ : “Cubs vs Dodgers Tonight… Here’s Exactly Where to Watch the Big MLB Clash and Why Fans Are Confused This Season”

Arteta, visibly emotional after the final whistle, praised his squad’s mentality. The Spaniard has transformed Arsenal from a rebuilding project into one of Europe’s most structured and confident sides, blending youth and tactical discipline in a way few expected when he took charge in 2019.

This victory also carries historical weight. Arsenal’s only previous Champions League final came in 2006, when they lost to FC Barcelona. For many fans, that night in Paris symbolised both potential and heartbreak. Nearly two decades later, the club finally has another chance to rewrite that ending.

Arsenal Reach UCL Final After 20 Years | Saka Scores Winner vs Atletico Madrid


The road ahead, however, remains brutal.

Arsenal will face either reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain or German giants Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30. PSG currently hold a narrow advantage in their semi-final tie, while Bayern remain dangerous contenders with European pedigree.

But even before the final, Arsenal are still locked in another battle — the Premier League title race. The Gunners are chasing their first domestic crown in 22 years, adding another layer of pressure and possibility to what is already a defining season.

For Saka, who has grown from academy prospect to club talisman, this campaign feels like destiny unfolding in real time. At just 24, he is now the face of Arsenal’s new era — a symbol of continuity from youth development to European elite competition.

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The emotional scenes at the Emirates reflected that journey. Fans who once endured years of near misses now believe something different is happening — not just a good season, but a structural shift in the club’s identity.

Arteta summed it up simply: “We have been building little by little. Now we have to maintain it.”

And that is where Arsenal now stand — not as hopeful outsiders, but as finalists with a real chance to define their era.

One match remains between them and European immortality. And for a club that has waited 20 years to return to this stage, the question is no longer whether they belong — but whether they can finish the story.

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20 Years Later… Arsenal at the Brink of History: Arteta’s Men Storm into Champions League Final After 1-0 Thriller vs Atletico Madrid

Bukayo Saka’s decisive strike sends Arsenal into their first Champions League final since 2006 as Mikel Arteta urges his squad to channel “energy and belief” into a historic double chase.

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Arsenal Reach Champions League Final After 20 Years | Arteta & Saka Shine vs Atletico
Arsenal players celebrating after securing a dramatic 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid to reach the Champions League final.

LONDON : In a night that will be replayed in Arsenal folklore for years, the North London giants are now just one step away from rewriting their European legacy. A tense 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium sealed a 2-1 aggregate triumph, booking their place in the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in nearly two decades.

The moment of glory came courtesy of Bukayo Saka, whose close-range finish in the first half sent the 60,000-strong crowd into raptures. It was a goal that not only decided the semi-final but also reignited memories of Arsenal’s last appearance in the final back in 2006 — a defeat to FC Barcelona that still lingers in club history.

Manager Mikel Arteta was at the heart of the celebrations, visibly emotional as he led a jubilant lap of honour with his players. Speaking after the match, Arteta emphasized the importance of momentum: “Everybody can feel a shift in energy, in belief… we must use it in the right way.”

ALSO READ : “Cubs vs Dodgers Tonight… Here’s Exactly Where to Watch the Big MLB Clash and Why Fans Are Confused This Season”

The Spaniard’s transformation of Arsenal since taking charge in 2019 has been steady but relentless. From rebuilding squad identity to restoring fan connection, Arteta has engineered a revival that now places the club on the brink of a historic double — with the Premier League title race still alive.

The Gunners are currently locked in a fierce domestic battle with Manchester City, needing three wins from their final fixtures against West Ham, Burnley, and Crystal Palace to secure their first league title since the iconic 2003–04 “Invincibles” season.

Beyond England, the European stage awaits. On May 30 in Budapest, Arsenal will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, both of whom represent formidable opposition. PSG, last year’s semi-final conquerors of Arsenal, currently hold a narrow advantage heading into their second leg in Munich.

Arsenal Reach Champions League Final After 20 Years | Arteta & Saka Shine vs Atletico


Arteta, however, remains grounded despite the euphoria. “The highs cannot be too high and the lows cannot be too low,” he said, reflecting a manager aware that history is still unfinished business. “We have an incredible game against West Ham next — and only four days to prepare.”

For fans, the emotional release was unmistakable. Red flares lit up the Emirates surroundings long before kickoff, as supporters gathered to welcome the team bus in a scene that symbolized the renewed bond between club and city.

ALSO READ : “Angels Icon Garret Anderson Dies at 53… The Silent Hero Behind 2002 World Series Glory Gone Too Soon”

This season could now become the most significant in Arsenal’s 140-year history — a potential double of Premier League and Champions League glory that once felt distant, now within touching distance.

Arteta summed it up best: “We have been building little by little. We believed in what we wanted to do. Now we have to maintain it.”

For Arsenal, the dream is no longer just survival at the top — it is history waiting to be written.

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“Cubs vs Dodgers Tonight… Here’s Exactly Where to Watch the Big MLB Clash and Why Fans Are Confused This Season”

With new MLB broadcast changes, fans are scrambling—here’s the full guide to watching Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers on April 25.

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“WWE Shock Releases Begin After WrestleMania 42… Big Names Like Kairi Sane and Aleister Black Out in Sudden Shake-Up”
Here’s Exactly Where to Watch the Big MLB Clash and Why Fans Are Confused This Season”

Baseball is back, stadiums are buzzing, and fans are ready—but there’s one unexpected challenge this season: figuring out where to actually watch the game.

If you’re planning to catch the matchup between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers, you’re not alone in feeling a bit confused.

Thanks to recent broadcasting changes by Major League Baseball, watching your favorite team isn’t as straightforward as it used to be.

So, here’s everything you need to know—without the headache.


When and Where Is the Game?

The highly anticipated clash between the Cubs and Dodgers is set for:

  • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
  • Time: 7:15 p.m. (ET)
  • Venue: Dodger Stadium
  • Location: Los Angeles

This iconic ballpark is expected to be packed as fans gear up for one of the most exciting matchups of the early MLB season.


Where to Watch Cubs vs Dodgers

Here’s the simple answer most fans are looking for:

  • TV Channel: FOX
  • Streaming: MLB.TV (available via Fubo)

If you have cable, FOX will be your go-to option. For cord-cutters, MLB.TV remains the most reliable way to stream the game live.


Why Watching MLB Games Feels More Complicated Now

This season, MLB introduced a new broadcasting model, taking control of production and distribution for a significant number of games.

While the move aims to modernize the viewing experience, it has left many fans wondering:

  • Which channel is showing their team?
  • Which platform requires a subscription?
  • Why is it different every game?

In short—it’s not just you. Even long-time baseball fans are double-checking schedules before every game.


“WWE Shock Releases Begin After WrestleMania 42… Big Names Like Kairi Sane and Aleister Black Out in Sudden Shake-Up”


Why This Matchup Matters

Whenever the Cubs and Dodgers meet, it’s more than just a regular game.

The Dodgers, one of the most dominant teams in recent MLB history, bring star power and consistency. Meanwhile, the Cubs continue to rebuild and surprise, making every game unpredictable.

Fans will also be watching closely for performances from big names like:

  • Mookie Betts (Dodgers star)
  • Freddie Freeman (Dodgers first baseman)

These players have the ability to turn the game around in a single moment.


What to Expect Tonight

Expect a competitive, high-energy game under the lights at Dodger Stadium.

  • A packed crowd
  • National TV coverage
  • Two historic franchises facing off

It’s the kind of matchup that reminds fans why baseball still holds a special place in sports culture.


Final Word

If you’re tuning in tonight, double-check your channel, grab your snacks, and settle in early.

Because despite the confusion around broadcasts, one thing hasn’t changed—the magic of a live MLB game.

And when the Cubs face the Dodgers, it’s always worth watching.

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