Collingwood young gun Darcy Moore’s progress has been recognised with selection in the AFL Players’ Association’s initial 22Under22 40-man squad.

Moore was named as one of the 12 players in line for a position in the forward line, alongside the likes of Peter Wright (Gold Coast), Jack Billings (St Kilda), Daniel Rioli (Richmond) and Orazio Fantasia (Essendon).

The 22Under22 team is conducted by the Players’ Association, and is decided by the voting public who can help form the team at 22under22.com.au.

Darcy Moore: The story so far
Age: 21
Career games: 46
Career goals: 58

How has he fared in 2017?
Moore has played all bar one of Collingwood’s first 21 games of the year, kicking a career-high 25 goals for the season to date.

After a quiet start, Moore has kicked 24 goals in his last 16 games, going goalless only twice since ANZAC Day.

He ranks equal first at the club for marks inside 50 (39), second for contested marks (37) and third for marks (115) and goals (25).

Moore has also begun to double as a second ruckman, relieving Brodie Grundy late in quarters.

It all began against Greater Western Sydney in round eight, when Ben Reid was swung into attack for the first time. He impressed against the bigger bodied Shane Mumford, and has done so in each game that has followed, winning 64 hitouts for the season so far.

Following the departure of Travis Cloke, Moore has shouldered the bulk of the key forward duties all season, and has performed his task against some of the league’s best key defenders.

It’s something that will no doubt stand him in great stead for the years to come as he continues to add strength and experience to his undoubted skill and athleticism.


The AFL Players Association’s 22Under22 squad of 40
Midfielders
Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Zach Merrett (Essendon), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans), Christian Petracca (Melbourne), Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants), Matt Crouch (Adelaide Crows), Jack Sinclair (St Kilda), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Zak Jones (Sydney Swans), Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs), Dom Sheed (West Coast), Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs), Toby McLean (Western Bulldogs)

Forwards
Orazio Fantasia (Essendon), Jack Billings (St Kilda), Lewis Taylor (Brisbane Lions), Jack Martin (Gold Coast Suns), Dan Butler (Richmond), Peter Wright (dual position) (Gold Coast Suns), Charlie Curnow (Carlton), Darcy Moore (Collingwood), Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions), Daniel Rioli (Richmond), Tom Papley (Sydney), Cam McCarthy (Fremantle)

Defenders
Jake Lever (Adelaide Crows), Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions), Oscar McDonald (Melbourne), Tom Barrass (West Coast), Jayden Hunt (Melbourne), Callum Mills (Sydney Swans), Ryan Burton (Hawthorn), Andrew McGrath (Essendon), Luke McDonald (North Melbourne), James Sicily (Hawthorn), Connor Blakely (Fremantle Dockers)

Rucks
Peter Wright (dual position) (Gold Coast Suns) and Sean Darcy (Fremantle)