Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says too much ‘space’ between normally connected teammates

Embattled Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has conceded his premiership-winning team is out of tune with each other as the reigning champs sit on the brink of failing to make the finals in 2024.

A 66-point drubbing at the hands of Hawthorn last Saturday has left the Magpies floundering in 13th position, effectively two wins outside the top eight with only five rounds remaining and clashes with top-four contenders Carlton, Sydney and Brisbane to come in the final five rounds.

Premiership-winning coach Craig McRae called the loss to the Hawks, his team’s fourth in a row, “pretty ugly” and said they were “right on the edge of being losers” as questions begin to be asked about the ageing profile of the club’s list.

The form of captain Moore, an all-Australian in 2023, has been the focus of external noises, and in the wake of the loss he conceded the players seemed less connected, on field at least, adding to the challenge of being the hunted as the reigning champs.

“Our best footy is when we’re connected and selfless and playing really in tune with each other out there on the field,” he said.

“And at the moment things are feeling harder and the spaces between us are getting bigger and I think that’s what’s challenging us so much.

“Things aren’t easy and we’ve had a hell of a ride over the last few years and we’re always gonna have our challenges, that’s football. Teams are going to throw things at us.”

Injuries have played a role in Collingwood’s underperforming this season, but the return of key forward Dan McStay from an ACL injury against Hawthorn was a positive Moore said the Magpies could draw on.

Premiership-winning big man Mason Cox also made his return via the VFL ahead of this weekend’s must win AFL clash with last-placed Richmond.

Moore said the mindset would continue to be that which drove the club to last year’s triumph and there would be no shying away from what’s needed.

“I think we’ve just got to keep it really simple and stick together, that’s what makes our team great,” he said.

“We don’t say side-by-side for nothing. It’s when things are hard that we stick side-by-side, so we’ve got to do that.

“And we’ve got to learn and grow and develop and I think the way we do that is together, so we’ve got to stick at it when things are good and more importantly when things are tough.”