Collingwood coach Craig McRae has revealed Darcy Moore overcome an illness this week including spending a couple of days in bed to play in the club’s 20-point semi-final win over Fremantle.
Moore backed up his brilliant qualifying final performance to again stand tall in the Magpies’ stout defensive unit that held the Dockers to just 59 points on the night in front of a packed house of over 90,000 at the MCG as Collingwood secured a preliminary final berth against Sydney.
But McRae revealed the star backman was touch and go for Saturday night’s the do-or-die match and player through the ailment.
Watch every AFL final until the Grand Final Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“He’s been sick all week … the guy’s been in bed for a couple of days, (he was) pretty ill,” the Magpies coach said.
Asked how close Moore was to missing, McRae said: “I hate it when the doctor rings me match day, and he rang me match day.The level of confidence was still there, but there was some concern.”
A hoarse Moore appeared on Fox Footy’s Best on Ground and admitted he could barely speak due to the sickness.
“You’re going to have to excuse me, I’ve had the flu all week so I don’t have much of a voice left,” he said.
Moore later joked: “If Strepsils are looking for a brand ambassador, just let me know.”
The Magpies now march on to a meeting with Sydney at the SCG next weekend with a spot in the grand final at stake to continue Collingwood’s shock rise after finishing 17th last season.
And McRae says the club has its eyes on the big prize and won’t die wondering.
“We’re here to win it. One more game and you’re in a grand final,” he said.
“We’re here to win this thing and we’re going to work our butts off to get better every day to give ourselves every chance.
“We’ll set ourselves up sand we know what’s coming up in Sydney, but we’ll give it our best shot.”
