There’s “a lot of talk” around a Collingwood captaincy change for the 2027 season.
Plus, fresh reports of “disconnect” at the Suns between coach and players. Read on in AFL Daily.
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‘LOT OF TALK’: HISTORIC PIES CAPTAINCY CHANGE ON CARDS?
As questions persist over Darcy Moore’s long-term health, there’s been “a lot of talk” around an historic captaincy change at Collingwood.
The Magpies have never officially gone down the co-captaincy route, but with Moore unavailable through the rest of the season amid recurring soft-tissue injuries, conversations are being had.
It’s not to say the 30-year-old premiership skipper has relinquished anything as yet, but according to Midweek Tackle’s Glenn McFarlane, a shake-up could be on the cards.
“The Pies have never officially had co-captains … but there’s a lot of talk about a co-captaincy next year with Nick Daicos and Brayden Maynard,” McFarlane revealed on Fox Footy.
“That’s not saying that Darcy Moore won’t be there.”
Putting in his own two cents, he added: “Two words for me – Nick Daicos. He should be captain next year; there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Darcy Moore of the Magpies looks dejected after a loss during the AFL First Preliminary Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 20, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Colleague Jon Ralph told Midweek Tackle: “It’s a decision for Darcy Moore; they’ll work through that.
“But for me, I think those two blokes – one of them a bit more clean-cut, one a bit more rough around the edges – I think they would be absolutely perfect co-captains.”
Such a move could lighten the burden on the hamstrung Moore, who during his spell out consulted with specialists in San Francisco in a bid to overcome the dreaded injuries that have hampered him of late.
Moore played just four games this season following four years of 20-plus senior appearances.
Regarding enhancing his leadership capabilities, Daicos told AFL 360 on Tuesday night: “My leadership is something I’m trying to take to another level.
“I’ve seen Brayden Maynard alongside me at the moment, who’s doing an unbelievable job, and he’s really inspiring for me.”
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FRESH SUNS UNREST CLAIMS
Four weeks on from reports of “strained” player relationships, a fresh claim has emerged over Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast.
The Suns are in the midst of a dismal seven-game losing streak as finals football begins to slip out of the picture.
And after batting away suggestions of internal rifts a month ago, Hardwick will have to do more of the same after Seven’s Caroline Wilson reported a “disconnect” between the coach and two of his highest-profile disciples.
“My understanding is that … in some areas, the situation has not improved, but in fact got worse,” Wilson told Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.
“I think there is a disconnect, now, between Damien Hardwick and Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell.
“I’m not saying they’ve fallen out, but I don’t think the respect is there that it was, and I don’t think the relationship is fantastic.”
Wilson added: “Damien Hardwick doesn’t have the relationship with his players that he had at Richmond.”
Gold Coast’s most recent disappointment came at the hands of Adelaide last Saturday night, falling by 79 points to enter Round 19 in 14th spot with a 7-10 record.
Post-game at Adelaide Oval, Hardwick eyebrow-raisingly remarked that his club’s year was “effectively gone” – despite sitting just one win and percentage out of the wildcard picture with six games left.
Suns CEO Mark Evans was quick to publicly clarify Hardwick’s remarks, saying: “That comment was a reaction to how we felt after a performance well below our best, and what’s needed to compete with the best in the competition.”