Moore Bullish About Magpies’ Future Despite Finals Exit
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore remains optimistic about his side’s prospects for the next season and beyond, despite the Magpies’ crushing preliminary final defeat. Moore believes that Collingwood was good enough to win the premiership this year, after finishing fourth on the ladder and winning a qualifying final.
However, he acknowledged that Craig McRae’s team was simply outplayed by the Brisbane Lions in their 15.10 (100) to 11.5 (71) loss at the MCG. “We have great belief in ourselves and we certainly feel like we were good enough to win it,” Moore said. “That is why we’re here and we dream to be that team, and that is probably why tonight is so disappointing, but having said that, we were outplayed tonight.”
Despite accusations that Collingwood was too old and slow after a season-opening defeat to GWS, the team recovered and spent 11 consecutive weeks on top of the ladder. Although they fielded nine players aged over 30 in the preliminary final, Moore dismissed suggestions that time was running out for the playing group.
“To fall short really stings but we are extremely optimistic about our future,” he said. “We have added a lot of new players to our team this season. Tim Membrey and Ned Long have had great years, Lachie Schultz went from strength to strength, Dan Houston settled in really nicely and Harry Perryman was just unbelievable and so reliable all season.”
Moore emphasized that the ability of new players to seamlessly integrate into the team’s system bodes well for the future. “When you’ve got guys that can slot into our system and play great footy that bodes so well for the future,” he said. “We’re not standing still. We’re moving forward and trying to get better and we’re looking forward to that.”
Collingwood is expected to be active in the player movement market and has already been linked to Carlton forward Charlie Curnow and Melbourne defender Steven May.
