Collingwood Captain Darcy Moore Ruled Out of Anzac Day Clash
Collingwood captain Darcy Moore will miss Friday’s Anzac Day match against Essendon due to an inner ear issue, causing vertigo symptoms. Coach Craig McRae confirmed that Moore won’t play, saying, “Darcy’s got a bit of an inner ear issue. We’re not sure exactly what it is. He’s got a bit of vertigo symptoms at the moment.”

The Injury’s Impact
Moore’s absence will be deeply felt by the team, particularly in defense. He’s been struggling with form this season, and his team needs him at his best. With Moore out, defenders Charlie Dean and Jakob Ryan are among the recall options for the match-up with Essendon tall Peter Wright.

Nick Daicos to Captain the Team
In Moore’s absence, Nick Daicos will take on the captaincy role, becoming Collingwood’s youngest captain in 57 years at just 22 years and 122 days old. Daicos follows in the footsteps of his father, Collingwood great Peter Daicos, who served as stand-in captain in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Coach McRae’s Thoughts
McRae said they’ve had scans and are getting to the bottom of Moore’s issue, with a specialist visit planned to determine the exact cause. “We’ve done the protocol a couple of times, or the assessment a couple of times – there’s no issue there,” McRae said, ruling out any connection to a nasty collision against the Brisbane Lions last Thursday.

Dan Houston’s Return
Meanwhile, Dan Houston will return from suspension and play a crucial role in the team’s defense. McRae won’t temper Houston’s aggression, saying, “He’s an incredible organiser on the field for us and clearly talented with ball in hand. We’re excited to have Dan back.”

Jordan De Goey’s Progress
Jordan De Goey continues to build his fitness and form after multiple injury setbacks. McRae said they’re managing him, playing the long game to get De Goey fit and well. “This is the first week he’s played and trained, and I thought his training today was exciting for our fans to see. He’s moving better every week.”

Conclusion
The Magpies will need to adapt to Moore’s absence and find ways to compensate for his loss. With Daicos at the helm and Houston returning, they’ll look to make a strong statement on Anzac Day ¹.