Inspirational Collingwood captain Darcy Moore climbed out of his sick bed to play a starring role in the Magpies’ heart-stopping one-point victory against Adelaide on Sunday.
Among Collingwood’s best in their rousing come-from-behind victory over Essendon on Anzac Day, the illness-stricken Moore’s inclusion against the Crows was a touch-and-go decision as the opening bounce loomed.
Craig McRae with Darcy Moore after their side’s incredible win.Credit: AFL Photos
But after mustering enough energy to take the field, the Magpies skipper thrived.
Arguably best-on-ground, Moore eclipsed his direct opponent Darcy Fogarty, racking up 23 disposals, 10 rebound-50s, and six marks – including the match-sealing defensive intercept grab in the dying seconds, moments after veteran Steele Sidebottom’s behind gave the visitors their first and only lead.
“It was incredible – he (Moore) was sick before the game and he was a chance not to play,” Collingwood coach Craig McRae gushed.
“You get to 20 minutes before the game, you think that he might not play and think ‘what do you do?’
“But then for him to go out and perform, it’s incredible.”
Darcy Moore and Collingwood teammate Ash Johnson put Taylor Walker under pressure.Credit: AFL Photos
Already bridled with a long injury list, the Pies lost another soldier when forward Nathan Kreuger was hospitalised following a collision with Fogarty.
As Collingwood’s fourth-quarter surge took shape, some questionable umpiring decisions went against them, making the already stiff task that bit tougher.
With just under 11 minutes remaining, backman Nathan Murphy was left with a bloody nose but no free kick after being crunched by Fogarty.
As play inexplicably continued, Jordan De Goey, seconds later, was penalised for deliberate out-of-bounds while trying to prevent the ball from hitting the Magpies’ medical staff who were attending to Murphy.
Then in the dying minutes, Ash Johnson was unlucky not to be awarded a free kick and denied a certain six-pointer after being taken high in the goal square.
McRae was “astounded” by the trifecta of calls – and non-calls – which he found “staggering”.
Moore’s health and those contentious umpiring decisions weren’t the only obstacles Collingwood were forced to overcome, though.
Coming off a brief five-day break and staring at a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit against an ascendant but inaccurate Adelaide camp, the Magpies needed to dig deep to turn the tide and pinch victory.
They pulled it off. Of course they did.
“There’s just admiration for their never-give-up attitude,” McRae said after Collingwood’s comeback kings made it 10 wins from their past 13 games after trailing at three-quarter time.
“Today was a different version of it.
“We’ve been in this position more than anyone else in the competition the last 18 months so we’ve practiced it more than anyone else.
“This group has got a way and a want to win.
“It’s incredible.”
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