AFL 2024: Craig McRae mounts strong defence of Collingwood captain Darcy Moore

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has firmly backed his skipper as he urges the Magpies to hit Hawthorn “between the eyes” in a do-or-die clash.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has again strongly come to the defence of captain Darcy Moore amid a difficult slump in form. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

Collingwood coach Craig McRae says he’s blocking out “annoying” criticism of Darcy Moore as the Magpies captain searches for form with his side’s season on the line.

McRae urged his team to hit Hawthorn “between the eyes” with their best football as he expected Jordan De Goey to be fit to play and Nathan Kreuger and Jeremy Howe to both overcome illness in time for the crucial Saturday twilight clash.

He compared external “noises” about Moore’s form to mosquitoes buzzing in a tent after a frustrating campaign in which the defender has failed to come near last year’s All-Australian form.

Moore, 28, has played every game but has struggled defensively in the wake of fellow key back Nathan Murphy’s forced retirement and has also declined in average disposals, marks and rebound 50s.

Craig McRae says Collingwood captain Darcy Moore is ‘striving to get to his best’ as the Magpies fight for their season against Hawthorn on Saturday. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

“It’s probably like when you go camping, there’s a bit of a mozzie in the tent, it can be a bit annoying,” McRae said.

“When you get stung it gets a bit itchy – do you want to scratch it? I’m not sure we want to scratch it, other than just show our love and support for Darcy.

“This guy represents us so unbelievably well, on and off the field. Any club would just desire to have a leader like Darcy Moore in our team.

“The way he’s right now striving to get to his best is something we all admire. Form does come and go, but leadership in Darcy will never leave him and we’re rapt to have him as our captain.”

McRae said De Goey completed Thursday’s training session at Olympic Park and would be fit to face the Hawks after the star midfielder revealed on Seven’s Talking Footy that he was still battling a groin issue.

The coach’s response when asked if De Goey had osteitis pubis was: “Not that I’m aware of, no. I don’t think it’s that.”

Jordan De Goey is managing a groin issue but it’s not osteitis pubis, according to coach Craig McRae. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty Images

He suggested De Goey would spend more time forward in the final stretch of the home-and-away season as the Magpies sought the best possible impact from him.

“This is the reality of some of our players, and Jordy’s one of them – for most of the week he’s just running up and down, straight lines, just to get to the line,” he said.

“It’s been a battle for Jordy this year, battling his body and then getting himself right to be able to perform.

“He’s not alone in the footy world by the way … I reckon by round 19 most teams would have a similar bunch of guys that are really just battling to get to the line.”

McRae playfully dared the Hawks to recall Finn Maginness to tag Nick Daicos as he said the superstar Pie was “more hardened” than when he was shut out of the corresponding game last year.

He said he did not need to use an “elimination final” tag on the game to motivate his players.

“You can add some spice and value to it if you want, but it’s still only worth four points,” McRae said.

“We’re here to qualify, that’s the reality of the competition. If you want to try to motivate yourself more by saying it’s a final, go for it.

“We’re going to be heavily motivated for round 19 … this week it’s Hawthorn, and we’re really going to hit them between the eyes with our best.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Craig McRae mounts strong defence of Collingwood captain Darcy Moore