“He’s really had to do it the hard way this season. He’s had a lot of setbacks – he hasn’t had any real continuity in the team, and he’s had to work super hard basically from January, at the start of the year, to get back,” Moore explained.
Steele Sidebottom will play on in 2026 alongside Scott Pendlebury and Darcy MooreCredit: AFL Photos
The big-game performer had not been close to his best until last week as he battled an Achilles issue throughout the season.
The Magpies put De Goey on a graduated training program, and he returned with just four matches remaining in the home-and-away season.
He was subbed out in his first match back and then built his game time before his explosive power from stoppage and endurance returned in round 24.
Moore acknowledged Howe’s importance to the team, but said the backline had been forced to re-adjust on the run several times in 2025 and Collingwood still finished the season with the fewest points conceded.
The premiership skipper said they had been more focused on improving their connection going inside 50 ahead of the Crows clash as he spoke in a defiant manner ahead of the game.
“We’ve got huge belief in what we do. [Travelling to] Adelaide holds absolutely no fears for us,” Moore said.
“I don’t have any interest in how much pressure is on Adelaide or isn’t. Our focus is very much on us and what we’re going to achieve.”
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