Darcy Moore's 78-year first in Collingwood captaincy announcement
The 27-year-old defender will follow in his father's footsteps and captain the club.
Collingwood fans have reacted to the news Darcy Moore will lead the Pies into the 2023 AFL season, which marks 41 years since his father captained the club. The 27-year-old defender was announced as the club captain on Wednesday having replaced long-time leader Scott Pendlebury.
Moore will become the club's 48th AFL/VFL captain following in his father's footsteps, Peter, who led the club in 1981/82. Darcy and Peter are now the second father-son duo to captain in the club's history after Charlie Pannam Snr (1905) and his son Alby Pannam (1945).
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"It is truly an incredible honour to be given the opportunity to lead this team," Moore said. "The Collingwood captaincy is significant in its own right but it also holds another layer of significance for my family and I.
"To follow my father's journey as captain of the Collingwood Football Club at almost the same stage in his football journey is very special. There's no shortage of strong and up-and-coming leaders in our group, and I look forward to working closely with the individuals that surround me to ensure we all continue to develop as leaders.
"I am fortunate to be part of a team and wider club that features so many selfless and determined individuals." Moore was one of three-vice captains last season and has played 126 games for the club.
He takes over Pendlebury after the veteran captained Collingwood across a record 206 games, which spanned nine season.
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Moore will be supported by Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe and Brayden Maynard in a four-man leadership group. It will be Adams' eighth season in the group and Howe's sixth, while hard-nut Maynard has been elevated after earning his first All-Australian nod last year.
Moore's decision proved popular within the club and the Collingwood fanbase. The decision was approved by the board following a player-led process to determine leaders within the playing group.
Always a leader at our great club.
Congratulations to Darcy Moore on his appointment as the club’s 48th VFL/AFL captain. Richly deserved 🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/k7aeLynG2I— Collingwood AFLW (@CollingwoodAFLW) February 1, 2023
O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN
This is brilliant news 🖤🤍
Congratulations Darcy, very well deserving appointment 👏👏— JAKE 🇦🇺 (@IncrediblyBozza) February 1, 2023
Oh my goodness.
How lovely— Sette (@cinquecento62) February 1, 2023
46 Collingwood father/sons at Collingwood - the most of any VFL/AFL club in history.
Father/sons captaining their clubs:
Collingwood:
Charlie Pannam (1905)
Alby Pannam (1945)
Peter Moore (1981-82)
Darcy Moore (2023-)
Essendon:
Tim Watson (1989–91)
Jobe Watson (2010–16)— Kevin Pollard (@football_roos) February 1, 2023
Great to see Darcy Moore get the nod for @CollingwoodFC captain. Will do the club proud.
— Charlie Cosgrove (@thefootyfrank) February 1, 2023
Collingwood football boss Grahm Wright praised the selection of Moore and the other three players that will form the four-man strong leadership team. "All four players display a strong alignment to the club values as well as attributes that will nurture, mentor and inspire the team," Wright said.
"This process has confirmed there is no shortage of upcoming leaders in our group. We are fortunate to have a number of players who will play a role in leading this team even if they don't hold a formal leadership title."
Pendlebury stepped down in December, having led the Magpies in a club-record 206 games. The 34-year-old will continue playing in 2023. Moore finished third in the Magpies' best-and-fairest award last season as they reached a preliminary final in Craig McRae's first year as coach.
with AAP
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