Mick McGuane has his doubts about Darcy Moore playing in defence

COLLINGWOOD would be best served playing only one tall forward this year according to one former club champion who has raised concerns over Darcy Moore’s planned move to defence.

Collingwood training at Olympic Park. Darcy Moore during training. Pic: Michael Klein

COLLINGWOOD would be best served playing only one tall forward this year according to one former club champion who has raised concerns over Darcy Moore’s planned move to defence.

Moore, who kicked 25 goals last year, has been training with the defensive group over summer in a switch which is likely to leave Ben Reid and Mason Cox as the key forwards at the other end.

Mick McGuane, a 1990 premiership player with Collingwood, said he would have liked to see the Magpies persist with Moore in the forward line alongside Reid.

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Darcy Moore during a training session at Olympic Park. Picture: Michael Klein

However, with that looking highly unlikely, McGuane said the Richmond model of last year which saw Jack Riewoldt play as a sole tall forward could work best for Collingwood if Reid can stay fit.

“If you want to play the territory game which I think Collingwood do — be strong around clearance, win contested ball, get the footy in — it’s not only important to win it but if you don’t win it you’ve got to lock it in,” McGuane said.

“I just see concerns over the two-man tall forward line of Reid and Cox or Grundy, one of those two. If they don’t mark it, how much heat are they going to put on the opposition on the way out?

“I’d probably prefer Darcy and Ben Reid to be the two mainstays in the forward line with a bit of a swing mentality with Darcy Moore.”

Mick McGuane believes Magpies would be best served by leaving Darcy Moore in the forward line. Picture: Kylie Else

McGuane said he was not sure if Cox had the athleticism or marking ability to play as a permanent key forward and Moore had simply not been ready last year when left as the sole marking target.

“When Reid was down there Darcy Moore might not of been the No. 1 forward whereas early in the year when Reid was back or injured and Cox wasn’t playing or marking it, Darcy was the No. 1 focal point and he wasn’t ready for it,” McGuane said.

That’s not his fault, he’s just a young player who’s learning his craft and he’s going to get stronger, he’s going to get fitter, he’s going to get mentally tougher due to experience.”

Originally published as Mick McGuane has his doubts about Darcy Moore playing in defence