Craig McRae believes Collingwood has numerous candidates to succeed Scott Pendlebury as the club’s captain.
Pendlebury is 34 years of age and while he is contracted for 2023, there’s every chance the Pies veteran steps down for what may be his final year in the system.
With that in mind, McRae was asked about the credentials of Darcy Moore to become the club’s 48th captain.
Speaking after the club’s Round 20 win, Jack Ginnivan credited Moore as one of the “strong leaders” around him, while the key defender also played a role in setting the right tone following the release of the ‘Do Better’ report.
“I said this when we appointed Pendles again and had the leadership group underneath him,” McRae began on SEN’s The Run Home.
“All those other guys, the vice captains, Howie (Jeremy Howe), Taylor Adams and Darcy all got high votes from the players and they seem to be the next in line.
“Darcy can easily lead our footy club, as can Howie, so could Taylor, these guys, in particular, are the reasons why we’re having (good) on-field performances, because they’re driving the standards on and off the field.
“He’s an exceptional leader by action and he’s got the presence to lead off the field as well, so he would be a great captain for us.”
Speaking further on Moore, McRae paid testament to his character.
The 2020 All-Australian has had another strong season for the black and white at full-back this year as the Pies surged back into the premiership mix.
The Collingwood coach says he’s shared a close relationship with Moore since being linked to the club at 16 years old as a father-son.
“That relationship 10 years on is still strong,” McRae stated.
“He’s the sort of guy that when I’m older and greyer I’ll still make contact with.
“He’s got a really high moral compass, he’s super intelligent… which is intriguing, he thinks of things that others don’t think of.
“But the human nature of what he does and the care that he sees in his teammates and extended family is really strong and we could benefit from that.”
Pendlebury played his 350th game earlier this year and has been speculated to reach the magical 400-game mark.