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AAP
AAP
Sport
Steve Larkin

Magpies must back-up AFL win: coach McRae

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has called on his players to make winning a habit. (AAP)

Collingwood coach Craig McRae is challenging his players to prove their AFL season-opening win wasn't a flash in the pan.

The Magpies will be without Mason Cox for Saturday afternoon's MCG clash against Adelaide, with the American ruled out because of an ankle injury.

McRae is urging his players to follow-up their impressive 17-point win against St Kilda in round one with another solid performance against the Crows.

"It's a hard competition and the bottom line is we have got to be able to embrace every contest that comes, wherever we play and whoever we play," McRae told reporters on Thursday.

"Now, we had a good (opening) performance but you have got to back that up.

"We have got to repeat those behaviours. At the moment it's not a pattern of behaviour.

"At the moment it's just a performance that we were pretty happy with."

Tall forward Cox hurt an ankle in the win over the Saints, notable for the stunning debut of Nick Daicos who collected 27 disposals.

"He is so professional," McRae said of the 19-year-old.

"He wants to get better, he's following up with coaches all the time ... watching tapes.

"He is going to get the best out of himself.

"We are seeing what he is capable of now but it's exciting to think what he could be capable of in the future."

McRae also lauded the feats of Daicos' 23-year-old brother Josh, in his fourth season at the club.

Both are sons of Collingwood legend Peter Daicos.

"(Josh) is sort of sitting there in the background a little bit," McRae said.

"I couldn't be more happy with Josh, his ability to play a role, he has had a terrific pre-season.

"He has been a little bit lost in the Daicos discussion but we are really happy with what he's bringing to the table."

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