Collingwood has begun working on a contract extension with 22-year-old swingman Darcy Moore and is keen to finalise a deal early in the season.
Taken with pick nine in the 2014 AFL draft under the father-son rule, Moore has only kicked 58 goals from 47 games and is set for a move into defence in 2018.
The son of Pies champion Peter Moore was managed by his father until late last year when Liam Pickering took over said duties.
Moore is expected to settle into his new defensive role before committing to a multi-year deal, although talks have already progressed.
His father Peter imputed Nathan Buckleyโs sidesโ game-plan and poor kicking inside 50 for reasons why his son had yet to develop as a key forward.
It was similar remarks to those made by David Cloke, regarding his son Travisโ demise of form in 2016 and eventual departure to the Western Bulldogs.
โHeโs clearly a good, natural forwardโ, Moore said.
โThe problem at Collingwood is he canโt get the ball enough in the forward line, you know they have trouble getting the ball to him.
โI think the thinking is to try to get him in the play more because heโs pretty effective when heโs got the ball.โ
The Pies are bullish about their defensive prospects this season, with Moore joining Jeremy Howe, who just signed his own three-year extension. They form a talented aerial tandem with elite rebounding potential.
Fellow swingman Ben Reid is set to take over Mooreโs role in attack, who was a standout in the Piesโ intra-club practice match.
Moore is still recovering from an achilles injury, but Piesโ defensive coach Justin Longmuir is confident that the 22-year-old will flourish in his new role.
โDarcy has missed a lot of training but the beauty of our backline is we are trying a few different players down there and they are eating up the work,โ he said.
โHe has missed some training but it is his ability to read the footy that holds him in good stead as a back.
โWe need him to get out there a bit more so we can work on that cohesiveness.โ
