You can hate Collingwood, but you can’t hate Darcy Moore.
The Magpies skipper has led his side for less than 12 months, but is fast becoming one of the most universally respected and loved AFL captains in the competition.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Darcy Moore greets Collingwood’s only living 1953 premiership players.
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A modern statesman of the game, Moore has constantly drawn praise for his commendable public poise and social conscience.
After his first ever Anzac Day game as captain earlier this year, he delivered what was described at the time as arguably the greatest Anzac Day post-match speech of all time.
And on Friday night he was at it again — but this time he didn’t know it would be seen by anyone else.
Moore was captured by Collingwood’s social media team showing his gratitude to the three living members of the Magpies’ 1953 premiership team.
Thorold Merrett, Terry Waites, and Arthur Gooch were invited to sit at the top of the race before the game by the club, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the 1953 premiership.
Moore refused to walk past without giving the three premiership champions some of his time and gratitude before the Pies’ big game with Geelong.
“Beautiful post, love our vocal welcoming D.Moore,” one Collingwood fan wrote.
It turned out to be a forgettable night for Moore though, as Collingwood’s injury woes deepened with their captain suffering a suspected hamstring injury.
After losing superstar Nick Daicos for up to six weeks in last week’s shock defeat to Hawthorn, Moore being hurt is the last thing the ladder leaders need.
Moore, the potential All-Australian captain, suddenly grabbed for his left hamstring while running late in the first quarter and immediately went to the bench.
The star defender received attention from medical staff in the rooms, and was subbed out of the match for small forward Jack Ginnivan at quarter time.
“It was hamstring tightness,” Magpies football boss Graham Wright told the Seven Network.
“They tried to loosen him up so couldn’t get him going.
“He will be out for this game and get him scanned.”
Collingwood, who have topped the ladder for most of the season, have had few injury concerns this year until the last week when Daicos suffered a hairline fracture in his knee.
Dynamic midfielder Jordan De Goey sent a further scare through the Magpies camp when he came to the bench in pain.
But he went back on the ground and any injury will be a corked hamstring, at worst.
Geelong were also forced to use their sub in the first half after forward Gary Rohan was struggling with a hip injury.
– With AAP
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