Ex-Magpie Tony Armstrong believes Darcy Moore will thrive playing as a defender in 2018

DARCY Moore is set to play in defence for Collingwood in 2018 and one of his ex-teammates believes the young star will thrive and prove a revelation for the Magpies as the club bids to return to finals action.

Darcy Moore has been training with the defenders over the pre-season. Picture: Michael Klein

NATHAN Buckley and Collingwood’s coaching group have made a great decision to play tyro Darcy Moore down back.

Mark my words, he will be a revelation in defence.

In my last year at Collingwood, Moore spent a small amount of time in the VFL.

I played on a halfback flank and he filled a key defensive post, so I was lucky enough to see first hand just what the guy can do.

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What initially surprised me was his ability to read the play and make really quick, strong decisions which inevitably resulted in him either winning the ball with an intercept mark or killing the contest with a spoil that would make Spud Frawley’s “Golden Fist” each week.

On the rare occasion that a forward got the jump on him, his incredible athleticism allowed him to close down his opponent and then use his long arms to spoil where others wouldn’t stand a chance.

I’ll never forget the day a game was on the line at Punt Rd and I had been done all ends up by my man on the lead. He was going to get the ball for an easily converted set shot for sure, but out of nowhere the big fella came flying across my vision, taking ball and body and allowing us to hold on for a tight win.

Darcy Moore has been training with the defenders over the pre-season. Picture: Michael Klein

Esteemed judges also know Moore has a football IQ beyond his years.

Even in his first year at an elite level, his ability to absorb the incredible amount of information was outstanding.

Learning structure, game plan and best practice is one thing, but applying it in real time to high-pressure situations while fatigued is another.

Right from the get go Moore made the right decision time after time, showing maturity beyond his years.

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This has also been recognised by his peers and the validation comes in his appointment to the emerging leaders group.

This coming season you can expect to see him and Lynden Dunn directing the Collingwood defence and setting up the Pies from the back, which is where all good teams build.

Think of the Tigers last year. In the middle of the (justified) Dustin Martin mania, something that didn’t get enough airtime was just how good their defence was.

Ben Reid chats to coach Nathan Buckley at training. He will play as a permanent forward in 2018. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Alex Rance and David Astbury were absolute pillars all year and that’s how I see the pairing of Moore and Dunn.

From an athletic and a footballing perspective, the player Moore resembles most is Rance. He has electrifying pace, an enormous leap, his courage cannot be questioned and his leadership qualities are exemplary.

A straight swap from defence to attack with Ben Reid makes sense.

The Pies need a monster up front who can win the two-on-ones and when Reid was flipped into the forward line late in 2013 he dominated.

He kicked 25 goals in less than half a season in a side that was knocked out in week one of the finals.

Along with Mason Cox, Reid will ensure that the opposition’s big defenders will have their hands full and if the Pies’ ball movement is powerful and fast, they won’t be able to get across and come over third man up.

Darcy Moore is very athletic for his size and can provide run off halfback as well as power in the air. Picture: Michael Klein

One area where Moore must continue to improve is his execution.

As a mobile big man he will find himself with a lot of the ball in his hands as he will work his opponent over the other way.

Moore makes really good decisions but he must kick well because a turnover in defence is an immediate shot on goal.

Commentator Gerard Healy called for this move after the Pies’ Round 1 loss to the Bulldogs last year. He generally gets these things right.

I see Moore becoming one of the premier defenders this year. He has the temperament and all the physical attributes required to do so.

TONY ARMSTRONG PLAYED 35 GAMES FOR ADELAIDE, SYDNEY AND COLLINGWOOD BETWEEN 2010-15