Collingwood spiritual leader Brayden Maynard is more than comfortable in his role as vice-captain amid speculation the position is up for grabs next year.
Maynard and superstar Nick Daicos have filled the void left by Darcy Moore for the majority of the season, as the Pies skipper has battled persistent soft-tissue injuries from early in the year.
The Pies pair have alternated in tandem and have lent on their individual strengths. Daicos, his poise, class and ability to see the game like no one else. Maynard, his uncompromising nature and attitude.
Both were on show in Collingwood's six-point win over Gold Coast, which by the post-match scenes, meant a lot.
But Maynard reassured Moore is the right man for the job, and although he's ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury, he'll retain the role in 2027.
"I don't want to get into that," Maynard said on the Ausmerican Aces podcast.
"I mean Darce is the man. He has been the man since 2023. He's a premiership captain. I love the way Darcy goes about it on field, off field. Leads the club so well. Unfortunately, he's been injured this year, which has given great opportunity for Nick and myself to step up.
"But that's why we're vice captains. When the captain goes down, we step up and lead by example. It is all about action and that's what me and Nick have been driving as well as all the leaders.
"Darce is the man for the job. There is a lot of talk around it at the moment but I think we need to shut that up a little bit and let Darce recover and get his body right for the rest of the season because he's led the boys so well over the last couple of years.
"I couldn't be in a better spot, mentally, physically, and where I am as a leader of this football club."
Collingwood has been implored to consider a rejig of the captaincy, with suggestions Maynard and Daicos can share the duties from next year, allowing Moore to focus on righting his body.
Maynard has been co vice-captain since 2023, and played a pivotal part in the club's premiership victory over Brisbane.
