Collingwood captain Darcy Moore is expecting to suit up in next Friday's Anzac Day clash with Essendon despite failing to finish his side's Round 6 win over Brisbane.
Moore came from the field in the final term of the Magpies' 52-point win over the reigning premiers in the wake of a marking contest that saw the knee of teammate Jeremy Howe collide with the side of Moore's head.
Blood was spilling from Moore's ear as he underwent treatment on the interchange, with Moore eventually subbed out of the contest.
Moore revealed post-game that he had suffered damage to the cartilage in his ear, however was feeling "pretty fine" after the incident.
"I split a bit of my ear cartilage open," he told Channel 7.
Darcy Moore left the field following this incident.#AFLLionsPies pic.twitter.com/UziiKjyIi8
โ AFL (@AFL) April 17, 2025
"I had to go downstairs and get it stitched up. Because it was a bit of an akward spot it took a while to stitch up, so they just subbed me out.
"I'm all good. I felt pretty fine chatting to the doc. My ear was just flopping open and there was a bit of blood."
Coach Craig McRae confirmed his captain didn't require a head injury assessment, with Moore avoiding the mandatory 12-day protocols.
"Darcy got a knee in the ear and it split his ear," McRae said post-game. "It just required some stitches, but other than that he's fine.
"There was no (concussion) concerns, he'll be OK."
Collingwood are in line for a significant boost for Anzac Day, with star recruit Dan Houston set to return from his two-game suspension.
In-form forward Lachie Schultz could also return in time for the blockbuster affair, having dealt with a hamstring concern in recent weeks.
Livewire ball-winner Jordan De Goey made his return from an ankle/Achilles issue against the Lions for his second game of the season, with McRae hoping he will pull up positively after being on managed minutes.
McRae hinted De Goey could be managed in the coming weeks as he looks have his gun midfielder primed for the long haul.
"That's the big question. We're hopeful," McRae spoke of De Goey's chances of backing up his return.
"We've got eight days into Anzac Day, and we hope he trains all week and then starts to get on a bit of a roll.
"There might be a world where he might miss in the next three or four weeks, because we've got an eye for the future. We've got a few short breaks (between games) coming up.
"These decisions will be made in time, but we think bigger picture with him."
Collingwood, who went atop the AFL ladder after their win over the Lions, are now 5-1 ahead of matches against the Bombers, Geelong, Fremantle and Adelaide.
