Darcy Moore set to wait until season proper but talks on track for new multi-year extension
COLLINGWOOD has opened talks on a new contract for forward-turned-defender Darcy Moore but the young gun wants to find form early in the season first as he begins a new chapter as a key defender.
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COLLINGWOOD has opened contract talks with Darcy Moore, optimistic it can re-sign the 22-year-old swingman early in the season.
Moore is recovering from a kick to the achilles but has been tasked with slotting into centre half-back this year after 58 goals in 47 AFL games.
The son of Pies great Peter Moore was managed by his father but late last year hired player manager Liam Pickering to take over his affairs.
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It is expected he will ease into the season proper and find some form in defence before signing a multi-year deal but talks have been encouraging.
The Pies have already locked in fellow rebounder Jeremy Howe on a three-year extension but have a busy year of contracting ahead of them.
About half of the Collingwood list is out of contract, including Jordan De Goey, Ben Reid, Alex Fasolo and Jamie Elliott.
De Goey was suspended by the Pies last year after telling lies about a hand injury but showcased his huge potential in Round 20 with four goals and 20 possessions against West Coast.
If midfielder/forward De Goey, Fasolo and Elliott can fire in the forward half they will help erase any of the Pies concerns about kicking a winning score.
Collingwood believes Moore and Howe can form an elite intercepting duo that will kickstart attacking thrusts for Nathan Buckley’s side.
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Never a high possession winner, they believe Moore will either settle as a key defender or learn tricks that eventually help him when he returns forward.
His father Peter said late last year the club’s poor disposal into the forward line hadn’t helped his son develop into a regular goalkicker.
“He’s clearly a good forward, a natural forward,” Moore said.
“The problem at Collingwood is he can’t get the ball enough in the forward line, you know they have trouble getting the ball to him.
“I think the thinking is to try to get him in the play more because he’s pretty effective when he’s got the ball.”
Pies defensive coach Justin Longmuir said last week he was excited about how Moore’s skill set could translate into the back six.
“Darcy has missed a lot of training but the beauty of our backline is we are trying a few different players down there and they are eating up the work,” he said.
“He has missed some training but it is his ability to read the footy that holds him in good stead as a back.
“We need him to get out there a bit more so we can work on that cohesiveness.”
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