Magpies Skipper Moore’s Fitness Woes Continue Amidst Hamstring Scare
Collingwood’s premiership captain, Darcy Moore, has once again found himself in a fitness battle, with his body continuing to present challenges as the 2026 AFL season gets underway. After a disrupted pre-season and a spell on the sidelines for the opening two rounds due to a combination of calf complaints and hamstring awareness, Moore finally made his return to the field on Friday night. He donned the iconic black and white jumper for the first time this year, facing off against Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium.
However, the sight of the two-time All Australian and premiership-winning skipper on the park was quickly overshadowed by a renewed concern for the Magpies faithful. Throughout the match against the Giants, Moore appeared to be battling a persistent hamstring issue. This sighting has understandably raised eyebrows and added another layer of uncertainty surrounding the club’s leadership group’s availability.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae addressed the situation post-match, emphasising the club’s commitment to a cautious approach with their influential leader. “It’s hamstring awareness for Darcy,” McRae explained. “For those who have been following his rehabilitation and return to play, he experienced the same thing about 10 to 12 days ago. At that point, our philosophy was ‘no risk, no risk, no risk’.”
McRae elaborated on the difficult decisions faced during a game. “But when you’re in the heat of battle, you start to think, ‘Can he push through? Can he take on some minutes?’ It’s important in terms of rotations if he can contribute some game time, without significant risk,” he said. “I say that, but I have absolute faith in our high-performance team. However, the reality is he’s not completely right; he’s not 100 per cent. Has he actually done a hamstring? I’m not entirely sure, and based on what I’ve been told, I don’t believe he has.”
Looking ahead, McRae indicated that Moore’s participation in the upcoming fixture would be unlikely. “I would say he is unlikely to travel to Brisbane for our next game,” he stated.
Despite the perceived discomfort, Moore managed to play out the entirety of the match against GWS, accumulating 61 per cent game time. Nevertheless, the club is taking no chances. Moore is scheduled to undergo scans on his hamstring on Saturday to ascertain the extent of any potential damage.
The Magpies’ injury concerns may not end with their captain. They are also likely to be without former skipper Scott Pendlebury for their clash against the Lions next Thursday night at the Gabba. Pendlebury is reportedly dealing with Achilles trouble, adding further weight to the growing injury list for the reigning premiers.
Key Takeaways for Collingwood
- Darcy Moore’s Hamstring Concern: The captain’s return was marred by ongoing hamstring awareness, raising questions about his immediate availability.
- Cautious Approach: Coach Craig McRae stressed the club’s priority on player safety, even if it means managing game time or missing fixtures.
- No Major Tear Suspected (Yet): While not 100 per cent, initial reports suggest Moore may not have suffered a significant hamstring tear, but scans are crucial.
- Travel to Brisbane Unlikely for Moore: The club is preparing for their next game without their captain.
- Pendlebury’s Achilles Issues: Scott Pendlebury’s absence due to Achilles trouble further compounds the Magpies’ injury woes.
- Scans Crucial: The upcoming scans for Moore will be pivotal in determining his short-term playing future and the severity of the hamstring issue.
