Pies skipper Moore should make quick return: McRae

Joanna Guelas | August 12, 2023

Collingwood fans need not worry – injured skipper Darcy Moore should be back before the end of the home and away season.

The key defender was subbed out after sustaining a hamstring injury in the first quarter against Geelong on Friday.

But the Pies managed well without their captain, breaking their two-game losing streak with a 16.13 (109) to 15.11(101) victory.

Coach Craig McRae said he wasn’t concerned about the possibility of the 27-year-old being sidelined for the remainder of the season.

“It’s not major,” he said of the injury.

“My understanding is that he’s tight – neurological tight hamstring.

“We have to wait until the scans show what the damage is.”

Moore joins Nick Daicos on the injury list, with the superstar out for up to six weeks with a knee injury after last round’s shock defeat to Hawthorn.

The captain watched from the bench as the team returned to face signature Pies pressure, turning the match around after Geelong’s dominant first quarter.

“We’ve re-established that we’re one of the best pressure teams in the comp,” McRae said.

“We really played our version and our brand. You get to see how damaging our ball movement can be when we get our pressure right.

“We’re still not finished.”

Playing for the first time in years without his brother, winger Josh Daicos led the team with a career-high 38 disposals, nine contested possessions, eight score involvements and 564 metres gained.

“The boys really rallied together and brought the hunt,” Daicos told AAP.

“We have had a little bit of a lull but we’re really confident.

“That stuff doesn’t bother us.”

Fan-favourite Jack Ginnivan (10 disposals, three goal assists) could make the return to McRae’s squad after injecting much-needed energy into the game as Moore’s sub.

This was Ginnivan’s first appearance since being dropped due to poor form ahead of the Sydney clash in Round 12.

“Tonight, he certainly showed everyone that his best is well and truly in our team,” McRae said.

“He’s a player that ignites the crowd and he ignites us.

“He’s had to wait maybe longer than he had to but I thought if we picked him before tonight, then we picked him on last year’s form.”

Forward Brodie Mihocek also returned to form, kicking a career-high five goals after running goalless four out of five games.

“It’s pretty tough when you’re not kicking goals as a forward,” he said.

“I just wanted to get back to what makes me a good footballer and how I can help others.

“Sometimes it doesn’t work, sometimes it does and it worked tonight.”

The Pies are back on top of the ladder and will face the third-placed Brisbane Lions next Friday.