Darcy Moore — hailed as a possible future captain — picked up by Collingwood
COLLINGWOOD secures Darcy Moore after push from the Western Bulldogs, while Sydney gifted top-five calibre Isaac Heeney at bargain price.
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COLLINGWOOD has secured a “future captain” after matching the Western Bulldogs’ first-round bid for gun father-son prospect Darcy Moore.
He will join the Pies as pick No. 8 in the draft.
Meanwhile, Sydney secured a bargain in Kieren Jack-clone Isaac Heeney, rated a top five pick, for pick 17 after matching a bid from Melbourne.
Others taken by AFL clubs include Jack Steele to GWS Giants for pick 23, Billy Stretch to Melbourne for pick 39 and Zaine Cordy to the Western Bulldogs for pick 61.
Oakleigh Chargers regional manager Mark Smart yesterday heaped praise on Moore, a 199cm swingman, saying he was the best tall talent in this year’s draft pool.
Smart said Moore, who captained the Chargers to the 2014 TAC Cup premiership, was a “born leader” and tough competitor, who would naturally ascend to Collingwood’s leadership ranks.
“There is no doubt he’s got leadership written all over him and I think you will see he will end up being an AFL captain one day, for sure,” Smart told the Herald Sun.
Moore, 18, has impressed talent experts with his supreme maturity this year, earning comparisons to the level-headedness of Geelong’s Joel Selwood and Essendon young gun Joe Daniher.
The Bulldogs were desperate for an athletic key defender to replenish their backline stocks and rated Moore inside the top-six talents.
Showcasing his extraordinary versatility, Moore was also swung into the Chargers’ midfield this season to make use of his smooth ball handling and blinding athleticism and chipped in the ruck.
Recruiters yesterday said it would be a major shock if Collingwood overlooked a man yesterday dubbed a “once in a generation player”.
“When you compare him against the boys that they talking about (as potential No. 1 picks) in (Patrick) McCartin and (Peter) Wright and so forth, in my eyes from what I have seen in the TAC Cup this year, I think he is better than those guys,” Smart said.
“If it was my choice in a pick of those guys, I’d certainly be picking Darcy Moore every day.”
Moore was named in the Chargers’ best players in the preliminary and grand finals, enhancing his standing on the biggest stage of the year.
Smart said Moore would flourish in an AFL system at either end of the ground.
“He is just a very competitive player and I think he is very proud of his performances and there is no doubt he reads the ball very well in flight, where he has able to defend strongly or mark the ball,” Smart said.
“His athleticism enables him to get back on to the ball quickly and get involved in the next contest.
“He’s got exceptional leg speed for his height and athleticism so he can play in both areas of the ground.
“It will be interesting to see where he forges his career because he is very capable at playing either end.”
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