Collingwood 2023 AFL Premiers: Emotional embrace between Peter and Darcy Moore erases years of Magpies heartache
Peter Moore‘s Collingwood career was defined by heartache, but Darcy has just changed the family’s narrative forever, writes SHANNON GILL.
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The last time Peter Moore stepped up to the grand final dais he tossed his runners’ up medal away in disgust. The league discontinued the practice thereafter.
On Saturday, his reappearance on the dais was unmatched for symbolism and emotion.
When Moore handed the cup to his son Darcy, it was much more than a moment for a father and son.
It was catharsis.
The club might have buried the Colliwobbles in 1990 but the Moore moment provided a sense of healing to generations of players and supporters haunted by grand final heartbreak, Peter very much among them.
The list is long and painful.
Collingwood had the 1977 Grand Final in their keeping at three quarter time off the back of Peter’s four goals at full forward before North Melbourne swamped them to earn a draw.
Then came the replay where his five goals were not enough.
More was to follow: the anguish of a five-point loss in 1979, the humiliation of the 1980 thrashing and then perhaps most difficult of all in 1981. As captain, Peter had torn his hamstring two weeks prior but played through the pain. He looked on helplessly in the season decider, having no impact on the game as Collingwood collapsed again after holding a 21-point lead late in the third quarter.
Two years later, Peter left Collingwood in a move engineered by then-manager and now Collingwood president Jeff Browne. The weight of all those losses were too much and he later expressed regret at leaving Victoria Park.
Fast forward to 2018 and son Darcy experienced the Moore grand final curse first-hand, missing the decider due to injury as another Collingwood premiership was stolen at the death.
When chosen to present the cup if Collingwood won, Peter’s message to Darcy was simple, ‘You’ve got to get the job done!’
At times there were fears history would repeat in 2023.
Collingwood normally lose close grand finals.
But, after ceding a last quarter lead with five minutes to go Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom landed the killer blows following Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill’s epic four-goal first half.
For the first time in 120 years, the Pies won a grand final decided by less than two goals. A sixteenth premiership placed them alongside rivals Carlton and Essendon and their 1600th VFL/AFL win is 118 more than any other club, as is their 60.4 % win rate.
Darcy Moore is the intelligent, considered and worldly leadership presence that is forging a new Collingwood. He might just redefine the public perception of footballers before he’s done. His elation was there for all to see as the siren sounded and a new, narrative-changing chapter was added to his family’s story.
But the proudest figure at the MCG wasn’t an active member of the Pies squad. Peter hugged his son before the game and then reunited on the stage for the most emotional embrace the MCG has witnessed a few hours later.
“I love you, mate,” Darcy whispered to Peter as the premiership cup was handed over.
Even Magpie-haters can smile at that.
Originally published as Collingwood 2023 AFL Premiers: Emotional embrace between Peter and Darcy Moore erases years of Magpies heartache
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