Collingwood to get last look at Darcy Moore in TAC Cup Grand Final at Etihad Stadium

COLLINGWOOD will get its last match-day look at Darcy Moore on Sunday when Oakleigh Chargers face the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup grand final.

VFL Collingwood v Essendon

COLLINGWOOD will get its last match-day look at Darcy Moore on Sunday, two weeks before it must decide whether to potentially spend the No. 8 draft pick on the budding father-son star.

Moore will captain Oakleigh Chargers against Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup grand final, a week after dropping jaws with a spectacular mark on his way to a three-goal haul in their defeat of the Sandringham Dragons in the semi-final.

A club beneath the Pies on the ladder would have to bid an earlier pick to force them to decide whether to cough up pick 8, although that will likely balloon to No. 9 if Melbourne receives maximum compensation for free agent James Frawley.

Moore will captain the Chargers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The Herald Sun believes the Western Bulldogs and Carlton are the best chances to bid and, while Collingwood chief recruiter Derek Hine has been non-committal, rivals would be surprised if the son of Brownlow medallist Peter was allowed to flourish elsewhere.

Moore’s season has been inconsistent but most clubs rank him inside the top 10 with one scout rating the 199cm talent as a “freakish athlete more than capable at either end”.

The Pies passed on Craig Stewart’s son James in 2012, allowing GWS to pounce and the key forward slotted three goals in the final round.

“His marking ability has come to the fore and under the roof at Etihad (today) he can show off his contested marking and athleticism strengths,” Chargers talent manager Mark Smart said.

Brownlow Medallist Peter Moore watches son Darcy at the VFL. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Moore could line up on top-five pick Peter Wright today in a duel which would excite recruiters.

Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte believes key forward Wright won’t make it past pick three — and if he does “Brisbane would be all over him (at No. 4)”.

“He’s similar to Tom Boyd, maybe a bit more mobile,” Kyte said.

Mobile half-back Jay Lever was surprisingly named last week but didn’t play and he will again miss today, meaning he has not played since last year as he recovers from a knee reconstruction on December 21.

But he still shapes as an early selection and Kyte believes another full season would have put him in contention to go No. 1 as the Cannons hoped to test the 194cm talent as a tall midfielder.

Kyte said Lever would likely have captained Calder and Vic Metro this year and he was now moving brilliantly on the track as he completes all non-contact training.

Calder Cannons star Touk Miller.

SAM’S SIX TO WATCH:

JAYDEN FOSTER (194cm, Calder)

19-year-old key forward looks to have done enough to head to the Western Bulldogs as a late father-son pick after 45 goals from 14 games.

PAUL AHERN (181cm, Calder)

X-factor midfield-forward who glides across the grass, takes strong marks and, like Chris Judd, can find an extra gear to escape trouble. Top 15 pick.

TOUK MILLER (177cm, Calder)

Hard, inside midfielder who could play himself into the late first round if he shines today. Strong leader who runs straight at the ball.

DARCY MOORE (199cm, Oakleigh)

Pies desperate to secure him as a second-round father-son but that looks unlikely. Mobile, athletic, takes big grabs, kicks goals and reads the game well from defence.

JORDAN DE GOEY (187cm, Oakleigh)

A versatile and competitive player who has impressed as a leading forward, defender and midfielder. Penetrating kick and shaping as a first-rounder.

TOBY MCLEAN (179cm, Oakleigh)

Mercurial forward who lead the TAC Cup in score assists. Strong game awareness and can roll through the midfield.

Originally published as Collingwood to get last look at Darcy Moore in TAC Cup Grand Final at Etihad Stadium