PRIZED Collingwood draftee Darcy Moore says he is happy to play forward or back after booting five goals in a breakout performance on Sunday.
Moore, who started this season as a defender, was the shining light for Collingwood against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, showcasing his talent as a forward in just his third senior game.
The 19-year-old returned from a five-week hamstring injury in round 10 and has been used in attack since, which is where he is likely to stay when the Magpies face Melbourne in a crunch game next Saturday.
"I'll set myself to play a role for the footy club and that's what we're big on … whether that's forward or in defence, I'm happy to do it," Moore said on Sunday.
"I've been playing as a forward at the club for five or six weeks, so I'm chasing time a little bit and I had to work really hard to get on top of it.
"As any young player will tell you, the first five games, 10 games, you're just trying to work it out. I've got a long way to go and so does the group."
Hot Dogs prove too strong for Magpies
Moore kicked his first AFL major on Sunday from the goalsquare, but it was his second, when he won a contested ball and exploded past Shane Biggs, that sparked his confidence.
The son of club great Peter Moore went on to present well and take contested marks, converting his fourth goal from a 50m set shot.
"Early on in my first game against the Hawks I was working really hard and then not really getting rewarded," he said.
"But people at the club said football karma is a funny thing, if you just keep working hard you get rewarded.
"After my second one I just started to feel like the jigsaw was coming together."
Moore suffered his hamstring injury playing in the VFL in round four when he was on the cusp of senior selection as a tall defender.
"I was performing really well and felt a million bucks," he said.
Scans showed significant tendon damage, but Moore didn't feel as bad as the diagnosis suggested. He returned much quicker than expected.
"It's as much mind as it body," he said of his recovery.
"As much positive energy that you can give out and provide to your body, the quicker your recovery will be.
"I'd vouch for that, because (only missing) five weeks with significant damage to a hamstring tendon was a big success.
"Ever since then it hasn't really held me back."
Moore said he was still getting his head around playing as a forward, and coach Nathan Buckley said the club would have confidence sending him into defence if required.
The coach's message to him on Sunday was to utilise his strength in the air with important forwards Travis Cloke and Jamie Elliott missing.
"Trav is probably the best big guy at doing that and Jamie is the best small forward at doing that," Moore said.
"Just fly when it's your turn to go, that's one of my biggest strengths so I just tried to bring that."
