AFL News 2023: Darcy Moore new Collingwood captain on next Premiership, season predictions

Moore followed in his father’s footsteps on Wednesday as he was named the 48th Collingwood captain and part of only the second father-son duo to run the club.

Moore said he will continue to lean on his father Peter for advice as he prepares for an intense spotlight to pursue the club’s Premiership slant in 2023.

The superstar defender, who was voted into a training camp in Lorne by his peers last week, said it could take time for him to adjust to the significant personal changes made last year, including the parting of his best Buddy Brodie Grundy to make room for Daniel McStay. Tom Mitchell, Bobby Hill and Billy Frampton.

But Moore said the Magpies’ performance in the qualifying final against Geelong, when the team fell just six points adrift of the Premiership side, raised hopes that Collingwood could create something special this year.

“This team is definitely capable of anything,” said Moore.

“We showed we were that close to a grand finale last year and three weeks before we were that close to the eventual premiere.

“That really appeals to us.

“We’ve had a busy time in the off-season with a lot of changes and brought in some people with great experience who have already contributed a lot over the summer.

“But chemistry takes time and it doesn’t come naturally, so we have no illusions that we have to work hard on this part.”

Moore, who was stricken with a bone infection in December, is on track to face the Cats in the season opener and said he will get into main practice within the next 10 days.

Moore, who will take over as captain from World Champion Scott Pendlebury, will lead a four-man lead group that includes Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe and Brayden Maynard.

Moore, a lifelong Collingwood supporter, said he was honored to take charge of Pendlebury and revealed he had spoken at length with his father over the past few weeks about the potential captaincy.

“It’s a pretty surreal feeling. It’s extraordinary,” Moore said.

“I feel really privileged to be in this position and my dad went through it. He was captain of the club in a different era and we’ve talked about it a lot in the last month or so.

“He’s living abroad at the moment but we’ve really bonded and he’s been reflecting a bit on his journey and experience as a captain.

“This is going to be a really nice thing to share in the future.”

Moore said his top priority as captain is to find a balance in his leadership and continue to be himself.

“On the field, I’m a trusted teammate, I’m someone who communicates and takes responsibility for other people, and I have really good support from other experienced players on the team,” he said.

“We have a really great group who are really able to take control of the team and make decisions on the fly and we are empowered to do that by coach Craig (McRae).

“That’s really great and really refreshing and important.”

Collingwood received pick 27 from Melbourne for Grundy, but Moore said he had no hard feelings about the hard decision to punt his pal.

“The list managers have to make tough decisions and in a way it’s important that that person has that authority and that role to make those decisions regardless of player influence,” he said.

PIES ANNOUNCE SUPERSTAR AS PENDLEBURY REPLACEMENT

Superstar key defender Darcy Moore has been named Collingwood’s new captain for the 2023 season.

Moore, 27, was chosen by his peers after a training camp in Lorne last week.

It was widely expected that the gun backman would be the man to take over the skipper from champion midfielder Scott Pendlebury.

Moore’s strong connection with teammates and empathetic nature were a key factor in the appointment, along with his outstanding leadership skills on and off the field.

“It’s really an incredible honor to have the opportunity to lead this team,” said Moore.

“Being the captain of Collingwood is important in itself, but it also means something else to my family and me. Following my father’s journey as captain of Collingwood Football Club at almost the same stage in his football journey is very special.

“There is no shortage of strong and emerging leaders in our group and I look forward to working closely with those around me to ensure we all continue to develop as leaders. I am fortunate to be part of a team and a larger club that has so many selfless and determined individuals represented.”

The father-son jet is one of the best defenders in the competition.

Taylor Adams and Jeremy Howe were the other contestants.

Originally released as AFL Captains 2023: Darcy Moore takes over as Collingwood captain from Scott Pendlebury