Collingwood Captain Darcy Moore's AFL Return Delayed as Magpies Opt for Caution
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore will have to wait longer for his highly anticipated return to the AFL field, with the Magpies deciding to take a conservative approach to his recovery from injury. The star defender had been optimistic about featuring in Saturday's Anzac Day match against Essendon, but the club has chosen to play it safe given the demanding schedule ahead.
De Goey and Sidebottom Cleared for Anzac Day Clash
In positive news for Collingwood, midfielders Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom have both proven their fitness and will line up against Essendon. De Goey has recovered from concussion protocols, while Sidebottom has overcome a hip issue that had threatened his availability for the marquee match.
Moore's situation presents a different story. The defender's first game of the season in round four lasted less than a quarter before he was sidelined again. Despite his bullish confidence about returning for the Anzac Day fixture, Collingwood's medical and coaching staff have determined that pushing him back too soon isn't worth the risk.
McRae Explains Conservative Approach
Collingwood coach Craig McRae acknowledged the conservative nature of the decision, particularly with a challenging five-day turnaround to face third-placed Hawthorn in round eight looming on the horizon.
"Are we being conservative with Moore? Probably. Probably a little bit," McRae admitted. "He plays this game and he might miss the five-day break. It seems a bit silly then, doesn't it? But ultimately, he hasn't quite done enough load, so that's where we stand at the moment, and I think he'll benefit from it."
The Magpies, currently sitting 11th on the ladder with a 3-3 record, face a difficult stretch of matches after the Hawthorn encounter. They will travel to face sixth-placed Geelong before taking on ladder-leaders Sydney, making Moore's full recovery even more crucial for the team's prospects.
Pendlebury's Playing Future Under Discussion
McRae also addressed the situation surrounding veteran midfielder Scott Pendlebury, confirming the evergreen star will play against Essendon but flagging that rest periods are being planned for the immediate future.
"I'm planning to catch up with him today. We're going to have a chat about what that next period looks like," McRae revealed. "We're just concentrating on if he's fit and available to play this game. I'd be surprised if there's not a detailed plan of what it looks like next week."
Carlton's Ruck Changes Ahead of Fremantle Clash
Elsewhere in the AFL, Carlton coach Michael Voss has confirmed that ruckman Liam Reidy will play his fifth AFL game against Fremantle following Marc Pittonet's hand surgery. Pittonet suffered a small fracture during Carlton's defeat to Collingwood, joining key forward Harry McKay (concussion) on the sidelines.
Reidy, who played three games for Fremantle before joining Carlton this year, will likely face off against former Collingwood ruck Mason Cox in an intriguing subplot to the match. The situation has been complicated by Sean Darcy's ongoing calf issues, with Fremantle's preferred ruckman initially ruled out with concussion but now sidelined by a flare-up of his pre-season injury.
Voss expressed confidence in Reidy's preparation for the match, noting his familiarity with Fremantle's systems from his time at the club.
"I don't have to spend any time in front of the TV screen with him this week, learning about what they do, considering that he's trained with them for the better part of two or three years," Voss said. "To be fair to him, he's really improved himself over the course of the last little while and through pre-season. He's really pushed 'Pitto', and I think as a result he's probably made 'Pitto' better."
The AFL round continues to present challenges for clubs managing player workloads and injuries, with Collingwood's cautious approach to Moore's recovery highlighting the delicate balance between short-term gains and long-term player welfare in professional sport.
