Six-year-old cancer patient celebrates 'best mate' Daicos's Brownlow win
As Collingwood's Nick Daicos claimed the top AFL honour, he made sure his time in the Brownlow spotlight was shared with someone he has a special bond with — six-year-old cancer patient Logan.
The 23-year-old claimed his first Brownlow Medal in a runaway victory overnight, with a record-breaking 47 votes.
"It's a massive award, and I'm so privileged to be up here," he said on stage.
"I've got a youngster, Logan, who's staying awake at the moment.
"He's got cancer and I worked closely with him this year and I think it just shows the platform we can have and impacting people like that."
Logan and Nick Daicos send each other video messages every week. (ABC News: Barrie Pullen)
Logan, who was diagnosed with the rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma when he was one, watched "his best mate" at the ceremony from his Warragul home on Monday night.
Speaking to the ABC, the six-year-old said he was "happy and excited" to be part of Daicos's big night.
"We stayed up late because we watched Nick get the brand new medal," he said.
"I'm so proud of him for getting the medal."
Nick Daicos made Brownlow history with his 47 point win. (Getty Images: Michael Willson)
Logan's dad, Shane Goldfinch, said the pair had formed a close friendship after being introduced to each other as part of his son's Make-A-Wish experience.
"Once the wish finished, Nick got in contact with Make -A-Wish and he wanted to get in contact with us and keep in touch off his own bat," Mr Goldfinch said.
"Within a couple of weeks he organised Logan to run through the banner with him for his 100th game.
"It was amazing. He didn't have to do any of that. We're forever grateful."
Jamie Elliot (left) and Nick Daicos (right) with six-year-old Logan at a game at the MCG earlier this year. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Mr Goldfinch said the family never misses a Collingwood game, working around Logan's cancer treatment to watch in person as often as possible.
But it was the pair's "love for each other" that meant the most to Mr Goldfinch and his family.
"[Nick] is grounded, down to earth, extremely family orientated as you can tell … he's just an amazing guy, an amazing leader," Mr Goldfinch said.
"Nick knows that Logan loves him for who he is, and loves watching him play football. And I think Nick appreciates that a lot more."
Nick Daicos speaks to reporters on the Brownlow carpet before his win. (ABC News)
Mr Goldfinch said despite battling cancer, his son was a very happy kid who always lit up with joy when he received a video message from Daicos.
While on stage, Daicos also signed a newspaper to send to Logan; his first signature as a Brownlow Medallist.
"We send videos back and forth throughout the week. We're only able to do that and put a smile on his face because we're playing footy," Daicos said at the Brownlow awards.
"But then at the same time, I think he's probably taught me more than I've taught him."
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