1990 premiership player Michael McGuane, has raised his concerns towards Darcy Moore’s 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 Collingwood’s 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 Richmond’s premiership year last year, if the move eventuates.

“I just see concerns over the two-man tall forward line of Reid and Cox or Grundy, one of those two. If they don’t mark it, how much heat are they going to put on the opposition on the way out?” McGuane told the Herald Sun.

“I’d 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.”

With Cox’s 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.

“When 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 wasn’t playing or marking it, Darcy was the No. 1 focal point and he wasn’t ready for it,” 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.

Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston and St Kilda’s Jake Carlisle have been used in similar roles which has seen improvements in both the team game and their individual game.

“I’d 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.”

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.

“That’s not his fault, he’s just a young player who’s learning his craft and he’s going to get stronger, he’s going to get fitter, he’s going to get mentally tougher due to experience.”