Collingwood captain Darcy Moore is currently not performing at his usual high standards, according to coach Craig McRae, who expressed full support for Moore ahead of their upcoming match against Essendon.
Meanwhile, Josh Daicos is unlikely to play due to a calf injury, which McRae described as still bothering him during training. Although Brayden Maynard showed recovery from a quad issue at training, Daicos appeared visibly hindered, prompting concerns about his availability for the match.
McRae acknowledged that Daicos had limited participation in training and admitted that time was running out for him to be ready for the Bombers clash. Despite these challenges, McRae indicated they were hopeful and would give Daicos every opportunity to recover in time.
Additionally, ruckman Darcy Cameron sustained a knee injury during training but is expected to play through it. McRae also defended Moore against recent criticism of his form, acknowledging a recent heart-to-heart discussion they had about Moore’s performance. He emphasized their commitment to helping Moore regain his best form, recognizing that Moore’s current level falls short of his standout performances from the previous season.
McRae brushed off external criticism of Moore, noting that Moore remains focused on improving his game and is unaffected by media scrutiny. Despite recent losses, McRae expressed confidence in Collingwood’s competitiveness in close games, suggesting they still pose a formidable challenge to their opponents.
The Collingwood vs. Essendon match is anticipated to be closely contested, following their previous Anzac Day encounter which ended in a draw.