Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has confirmed that All-Australian defender Darcy Moore will return to his customary role down back this weekend.
Moore has been swung forward in recent weeks as the Magpies, who have lost five consecutive games, looked to shake up their forward mix to fix their scoring woes.
However, the move has not paid dividends and come during Collingwood's worst form of the season, with Moore booting just one goal from the last two weeks.
@CollingwoodFC coach Nathan Buckley has confirmed that Darcy Moore will return to defence this weekend @zerohanger
— Ben Cotton (@Ben_Cotton15) May 6, 2021
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Buckley said the club will turn to what has worked previously in an effort to turn their poor form around, including moving Moore back to defence against the Kangaroos.
"We've discussed that and he will go back," the Magpies coach said.
"The last three weeks, that trial, or to have a look at that, has given us some information. Not all of it the type information we were looking for in a positive sense.
"But Darcy is one member of our team, he's not the be all and end all. He's a very good footballer and obviously played some exceptional football behind the ball.
"We've seen breakout performances in losing teams by Darcy Cameron and Brody Mihocek over the last two weeks. We think Darcy's (Moore) presence has assisted in that regard.
"But with a defensive focus for us, once we stripped that back it was really clear that Darcy behind the ball makes us a better defensive team so we've made that call."
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Buckley emphasised how one of the club's biggest focuses this week has been their connection on the field.
He said adjustments will be made to their defensive setup, while moving Moore back into the mix will be a big boost.
"We've retooled our defensive shape. That has largely where our focus has been and where we hope to effectively get the game on our terms from that phase of the game," Buckley said.
"It hasn't been consistent enough this year, it's been a strongpoint of ours over a number of years, (but) that was then, this is now. And we really need to improve our defensive actions and give ourselves a chance to play the game in our front half."
Buckley said the Magpies had tinkered with some changes to their game plan and personnel in a bid to improve their offensive efficiency. However, those moves did not result in the desired outcome.
"We've probably taken our eye off the ball of our DNA in that regard. We've been too easy to move the ball against," he said.
"There is always a misnomer that we want things to be black and white. I think you'll find that the better we defend, the better our offence is, not the other way around. We believe if we look after the first then the latter will come."
Buckley also played down reports that emerged after Collingwood's loss to Gold Coast that Jordan De Goey received heated feedback after a lacklustre performance.
Returning from a one-game absence from concussion, De Goey notched 16 disposals and laid just one tackle in a predominant midfield role.
However, Buckley said the story was blown out of proportion.
"There's been a lot of commentary around that. Once again, it's another narrative and storyline that's taken place. What I would say is that a lot of it is inaccurate.
"But trying to put out every little fire that's happening at the moment is not where our focus is. We'll support Jordy absolutely, he's a young man who is trying and endeavouring to contribute to the club as best he possibly can.
"He's one of 45 other young men that are trying to do the same in a playing sense and the staff that are extended from that. Whatever we do, win lose or draw, we'll do it together and we won't carve anyone away. So feeding into that narrative is not something I plan to do."
Collingwood faces a winless North Melbourne in a bottom-of-the-ladder clash at Marvel Stadium this Saturday at 4.45pm AEST.
