{"id":603264,"date":"2026-04-13T03:09:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T03:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/603264\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T03:09:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T03:09:16","slug":"collingwood-magpies-bristle-over-silly-fears-of-decline-as-skipper-darcy-moore-insists-flag-tilt-still-possible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/603264\/","title":{"rendered":"Collingwood Magpies bristle over \u2018silly\u2019 fears of decline, as skipper Darcy Moore insists flag tilt still possible"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Jon<\/p>\n

April 13, 2026 \u2014 12:09pm<\/p>\n

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In today\u2019s AFL Briefing, your wrap of footy news:The Magpies have rubbished suggestions their ageing squad has fallen off a cliff, with their skipper insisting a premiership run can be launched.Patrick Cripps insists he backs a costly decision that had him benched at a pivotal time against Adelaide, and has not ruled it out happening against the Magpies on Thursday night.Magpies bristle over \u2018silly\u2019 fears of decline, as skipper insists flag tilt still possible<\/p>\n

Jon Pierik<\/p>\n

Collingwood star Darcy Cameron has dismissed fears the ageing Magpies have fallen off a cliff, as his captain declares a tilt at a premiership is still within reach, provided their scoring woes are fixed.<\/p>\n

The Magpies have slipped to 13th on the ladder, having dropped their past two games, including managing just five goals in a low-scoring, six-point loss to Fremantle in the wet on Friday night when their limited options inside attacking 50 were exposed again.<\/a><\/p>\n

They average just 69.6 points (16 less than 2025) and 10 goals per game this season \u2013 only winless Richmond are worse in each category.<\/p>\n

\"FullFull of hope: Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says the Magpies still have time to launch a premiership tilt, but they will need Bobby Hill to help address their forward woes.Eddie Jim<\/p>\n

This latest defeat prompted former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, now a commentator, to declare on SEN: \u201cThey\u2019re not on the cliff, they\u2019ve gone over the edge, and they\u2019re just holding on with their fingernails\u201d.<\/p>\n

Cameron rubbished that suggestion on Monday, pointing to the Magpies\u2019 finals runs under coach Craig McRae.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last four years, we have played in two prelims and a grand final [and a premiership], and still have the same personnel,\u201d Cameron said at the annual Peter MacCallum Cup breakfast ahead of Thursday night\u2019s clash against Carlton.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI know some of those players might be getting a little bit older, but they\u2019re still performing at a very high level. So, I think it is silly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked if the Magpies can turn around their season, Cameron was emphatic: \u201cDefinitely\u201d.<\/p>\n

Skipper Darcy Moore, on the mend from a hamstring strain but still without a set return date<\/a>, was even more bullish.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe probably, like I said before, have a bit of work to do. We certainly feel like we have got to develop as the season goes on. That is not necessarily a bad thing for us,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have got a lot of experience, we have got to find a new, updated version of ourselves constantly. We are definitely up for that, particularly on the offence side of the game. We are not quite putting up the score we want to.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think on the defensive side of the game we are still performing at a really, really high standard, and we look rock solid, and we can mix it with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"WorkWork to do: Star forward Jamie Elliott has struggled to have a major impact this season.AFL Photos<\/p>\n

The Magpies go into Thursday night having won seven of their past eight games against Carlton. But they will be without Jordan De Goey, the veteran midfielder concussed against the Dockers, while star playmaker Nick Daicos continues to manage a corked calf.<\/p>\n

The Magpies had 16 more inside-50s than the Dockers, adding to the frustration of defeat.<\/p>\n

Small forward Jamie Elliott has only five goals in five games, while talls Tim Membrey and Dan McStay lack a consistent presence.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Jack<\/a><\/p>\n

Cameron said the Magpies had failed to \u201clower our eyes and not be so predictable\u201d, and defended Elliott\u2019s lack of scoreboard impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you watch what he does, without ball in hand, he works so hard for our forward-line group. He creates opportunities for the bigs, and he\u2019s probably the most selfless player on our team,\u201d Cameron said.<\/p>\n

The dynamic Bobby Hill has been missed, although he is training strongly, while the decision to let premiership forward Brody Mihocek depart for Melbourne has hurt.<\/p>\n

Cameron revealed the midfielders and forwards had met after the loss to the Dockers and addressed any issues.<\/p>\n

McRae bemoaned his team\u2019s inability to handle key moments, including a pressure-packed final 10 minutes, which, as the coach said, they \u201ctraditionally have been really good at\u201d.<\/p>\n

As training onlookers can attest, the Magpies regularly practice how to handle the final minutes of games, whether they are ahead or needing to score.<\/p>\n

\u201cClearly, we want to kick more goals, and make the most of our chances. That is going to take a bit of work, but we are definitely up for it,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n

Cameron said the blockbuster between the arch rivals would bring out the best in the Magpies, with both teams prepared to \u201cbash each other\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u2018Part of the plan\u2019: Why Cripps backed contentious gamble in loss to Crows<\/p>\n

Jon Pierik
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps has defended the contentious decision to start him on the bench in the second quarter against Adelaide, despite his absence hurting the Blues in what was to prove their fourth defeat of the season.<\/p>\n

Cripps was back to his best in the first term against the Crows last Thursday, his 12 disposals, six clearances and five tackles helping the visiting Blues to seven goals.<\/p>\n

\"WhatWhat next: Patrick Cripps was benched at the start of the second term against Adelaide, the decision proving costly as the Crows took momentum.Getty Images<\/p>\n

But, in a mystifying decision, he was benched for the opening minutes of the second quarter, the Crows winning the first five clearances and booting three goals in three minutes to take control.<\/p>\n

Cripps then rejoined the fray, but the Crows still booted another goal, a seven-point deficit soon becoming a 23-point lead, a pivotal burst in their 28-point win.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Article\"Skipper<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking at the annual Peter MacCallum Cup breakfast on Monday ahead of the Thursday night clash against Collingwood, Cripps said he endorsed the decision made by coach Michael Voss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just part of the plan, so the coaches put a plan together. We just back it in,\u201d Cripps, who nursed a sore hand in the game, said.<\/p>\n

Asked if he expected a repeat of such a call, Cripps replied: \u201cI guess we will, but you\u2019ll have to ask Vossy that. As players, I guess we are a team.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey [coaches] put a plan together to try and help us win, so whatever they decide to do, we back it in. And we are sort of one group.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as the coaches, we always support the decisions [they make].\u201d<\/p>\n

Former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, now a commentator, told SEN on Saturday if the Blues had \u201cput Patrick Cripps on the ground to start the second quarter they might have won \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Voss had defended the decision, declaring it was part of Cripps\u2019 typical rotations, while pointing out \u201cthere\u2019s a midfield group that gets the job done\u201d.<\/p>\n

While the Blues were beaten, it was arguably their best performance of the season. They won overall clearances, centre clearances, and inside-50s, while finally winning a fourth term.<\/p>\n

Having made the bold call to axe reigning best and fairest George Hewett, they had more players rotate through the midfield, although it was no surprise that Cripps and Sam Walsh, the latter despite a miserable second quarter of three disposals, were their most productive.<\/p>\n

\"BoldBold call: Michael Voss addresses his troops in their clash with the Crows.AFL Photos<\/p>\n

After a torrid month, the 16th-placed Blues, seemingly with a more attacking game plan, now prepare for a wounded Collingwood, but this great rivalry has been lop-sided in favour of the Magpies for years.<\/p>\n

The Pies have won four straight over the past two years, and seven of the past eight.<\/p>\n

The Blues hope Jacob Weitering (concussion) and Harry Dean (concussion and hip) return this week, Weitering declaring his team had time to improve.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty early doors at the moment, so we are still probably finding our feet. I guess what we can work on from an offensive point of view, especially in those second halves, and defensively we have things we can work on as well,\u201d Weitering said.<\/p>\n

Related Article\"Jack<\/a><\/p>\n

Former co-captain Sam Docherty was back in the Blues\u2019 fold at the breakfast at the MCG.<\/p>\n

He is a cancer survivor and a board member of the Peter MacCallum Foundation, but landed in trouble when his friend and former teammate Daniel Gorringe controversially aired on a podcast Docherty\u2019s expletive-ridden rant about the Blues\u2019 loss to Sydney without his consent.<\/a><\/p>\n

Docherty was then pulled from being a guest speaker at a Blues\u2019 function ahead of the clash against Richmond, but will address club faithful ahead of the Magpies\u2019 blockbuster on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

Cripps said the issue had been put to bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, those comments weren\u2019t meant to be there. So people can look at it in two ways, but, realistically, he did that in a private setting,\u201d Cripps said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I chatted to him at the time. No hard feelings towards \u2018Doc\u2019. We have moved on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"JonJon Pierik<\/a> is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X<\/a> or email<\/a>.From our partners<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"April 13, 2026 \u2014 12:09pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":603265,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-603264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/603264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=603264"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/603264\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/603265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=603264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=603264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=603264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}