AFL captains 2023: Darcy Moore takes over from Scott Pendlebury as Collingwood captain

Collingwood’s 48th captain Darcy Moore has opened up about the club’s decision to move on from best mate Brodie Grundy after the 2022 season.

Jack Ginnivan and Darcy Moore.

New Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says the rejigged Magpies can go all the way this season after a series of bold trade moves to realign the club’s salary cap.

Moore on Wednesday followed in his father’s footsteps when he was named the 48th Collingwood captain and part of only the second father-son duo to lead the club.

Moore said he would continue to lean on his dad, Peter, for advice as he prepares for an intense spotlight to follow the club’s premiership tilt in 2023.

The superstar defender, who was voted in by his peers on a training camp in Lorne last week, said it could take time to adjust to the significant personal changes made last year which included letting go best mate Brodie Grundy to make room for Daniel McStay, Tom Mitchell, Bobby Hill and Billy Frampton.

Darcy Moore informs his father Peter of his captaincy announcement via zoom. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

But Moore said the Magpies’ performance in the qualifying final against Geelong when the team fell only six points short of the premiership side fuelled hopes Collingwood could do something special this year.

“This team is definitely capable of anything,” Moore said.

“We showed that last year coming so close to a Grand Final and three weeks before going so close to the eventual premier.

“That really excites us.

“We had a busy period in the off-season with lots of change bringing in some guys with some great experience who have already over the summer added a lot.

“But chemistry takes time, and it is not a given, so we are under no illusions we are going to have to work hard at that part.”

Moore, who was hit by a bone infection in December, is on track to face the Cats in the season-opener, saying he was set to step up into main training within the next 10 days.

Moore, who will take over as captain from champion onballer Scott Pendlebury, will lead a four-man leadership group featuring Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe and Brayden Maynard.

A lifelong Collingwood supporter, Moore said he was honoured to take over from Pendlebury and revealed he had discuss the potential captaincy at length with his dad in recent weeks.

(L-R) Leadership Group: Taylor Adams, Brayden Maynard and Jeremy Howe are seen with new Captain Darcy Moore at Collingwood’s captaincy announcement. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“It is a pretty surreal feeling. It is extraordinary,” Moore said.

“I feel really privileged to be in this position and my dad went through it. He was captain of the club in a different era and we have spoken a lot about it over the last month or so.

“He is living overseas at the moment but we have really connected and he has reflected a bit on his journey and experience as captain.

“That will be a really nice thing that we share going forward.”

Moore said his top priorities as captain was to strike a balance in his leadership and continue to be himself.

“On the field I am a trusted teammate, I’m someone who communicates and takes responsibility for other people and I’m really well-supported by other senior players in the team,” he said.

“We have a really great group who are really capable of taking control of the team and making decisions on the fly and we are empowered to do so by the coach, Craig (McRae).

“That is really awesome and really refreshing and important.”

Collingwood received pick 27 from Melbourne for Grundy but Moore said he had no hard feelings over the tough call to punt his mate.

“The list managers have to make hard decisions and in some ways it is important that person has that authority and that role to make those decisions irrespective of the influence of players,” he said.

PIES ANNOUNCE SUPERSTAR AS PENDLEBURY REPLACEMENT

Superstar key defender Darcy Moore has been appointed Collingwood’s new captain for the 2023 season.

Moore, 27, was voted in by his peers after a training camp in Lorne last week.

The gun backman was widely expected to be the man to take over from champion midfielder Scott Pendlebury as skipper.

Moore’s strong connection with teammates and empathetic nature was a key factor in the appointment, along with his outstanding on and off-field leadership skills.

“It is truly an incredible honour to be given the opportunity to lead this team,” Moore said.

“The Collingwood captaincy is significant in its own right but it also holds another layer of significance for my family and I. To follow my father’s journey as captain of the Collingwood Football Club at almost the same stage in his football journey is very special.

Always a leader at our great club.

Congratulations to Darcy Moore on his appointment as the club’s 48th VFL/AFL captain. Richly deserved 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/k7aeLynG2I

— Collingwood AFLW (@CollingwoodAFLW) February 1, 2023

“There’s no shortage of strong and up-and-coming leaders in our group, and I look forward to working closely with the individuals that surround me to ensure we all continue to develop as leaders. I am fortunate to be part of a team and wider Club that features so many selfless and determined individuals.”

The father-son jet is one of the best defenders in the competition.

Taylor Adams and Jeremy Howe were the other candidates.

Originally published as AFL captains 2023: Darcy Moore takes over from Scott Pendlebury as Collingwood captain