1990 premiership player Michael McGuane, has raised his concerns towards Darcy Mooreโs proposed switch to defence in 2018.
With Moore training with the defensive group this pre-season, a move is looking likely.
He is concerned about the prospect of Collingwood having to rely on playing injury-plagued forward Ben Reid and rotating rucks Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox as Collingwoodโs two key marking forwards.
McGuane- who played 155 games for Collingwood, does believe that Reid could play a similar role to what Jack Riewoldt played in Richmondโs premiership year last year, if the move eventuates.
โI just see concerns over the two-man tall forward line of Reid and Cox or Grundy, one of those two. If they donโt mark it, how much heat are they going to put on the opposition on the way out?โ McGuane told the Herald Sun.
โIโd probably prefer Darcy and Ben Reid to be the two mainstays in the forward line with a bit of a swing mentality with Darcy Moore.โ
With Coxโs sketchy marking ability and athleticism, McGuane believes it leaves him in a vulnerable position playing as a key forward, as he gives defenders the ability to run and play off him.
McGuane also believes that Moore was harshly criticised last year in a year that saw Cox coming in and out of side and Reid either being injured or playing inconsistent footy.
โWhen Reid was down there Darcy Moore might not have been the No. 1 forward whereas early in the year when Reid was back or injured and Cox wasnโt playing or marking it, Darcy was the No. 1 focal point and he wasnโt ready for it,โ McGuane said.
However, using Moore as a mainstay forward alongside Reid might suit the contested game style of Collingwood, where using Moore as a swingman could provide the best balance for the team.
Hawthornโs Jack Gunston and St Kildaโs Jake Carlisle have been used in similar roles which has seen improvements in both the team game and their individual game.
โIโd probably prefer Darcy and Ben Reid to be the two mainstays in the forward line with a bit of a swing mentality with Darcy Moore.โ
In a year which saw Moore kick 25 goals, only one better from the previous year, McGuane believes that Moore will only get fitter and stronger, both physically and mentally, which will help him learn his craft as a forward.
โThatโs not his fault, heโs just a young player whoโs learning his craft and heโs going to get stronger, heโs going to get fitter, heโs going to get mentally tougher due to experience.โ
