ASK ANYONE at Collingwood about what impressed them most about Darcy Moore's first week at the club and their immediate response involves his outstanding work rate.
Moore, set to officially become a Magpie at pick No.9 in this year's NAB AFL Draft on November 27, made a strong impression during the club's training camp in Falls Creek.
The camp was designed specifically for the first-to-fourth-year players and the 18-year-old son of Collingwood great Peter said the young players extracted plenty from the group bonding sessions.
"It's about the buy-in and commitment we've seen this week and hopefully that trickles through into next year," Moore told AFL.com.au.
"We're the youngest guys and we're the future of the club.
"It's up to us to motivate ourselves and get to know each other well enough so that the group is capable of achieving something special."
Standing at 199cm, Moore's talent was clearly evident to those who watched him play for Vic Metro or for the TAC Cup premiers Oakleigh Chargers this year.
But one thing is not so certain and that is where the athletic tall, who is equally adept in the air or at ground level, plays his best football.
Moore waxed and waned between centre-half forward and centre-half back in his under-18 year and coach Nathan Buckley is still unsure whether to start him up forward or in a defensive post at the beginning of his AFL career.
That will become clearer closer to the start of the season, but for now Moore's focus is on the developmental side of the game.
Pondering whether he will be playing senior football in 2015 is far from his thinking.
Moore spreads his wings at Collingwood's Falls Creek training camp. Picture: Michael Willson, AFL Media
"When we hit January we can really ramp up the football stuff and those outcomes can be discussed," Moore said.
"I acknowledge how far I've got to go and I'm looking forward to the journey.
"Whether that means 2015, 2016 or beyond I'm not really fussed."
The Pies have already stated they will be careful in their management of their first-round draft pick, particularly after Nathan Freeman and Matt Scharenberg's injury issues of last season.
Moore is prepared to accept those recommendations, knowing the club has his future in mind.
However that does not mean Moore cannot start visualising what he wants to achieve during his career.
Buckley has already stated the club's youth is what is going to carry the club forward and Moore already has lofty ambitions for him and his teammates.
"I've been to most Grand Finals over the last 17 years and I've seen how special it is to win a premiership," Moore said.
"It's a nice little trigger to watch them hold up the premiership cup and it's why we do the things we do is to get that team success for everyone.
"If I can be part of that in the future then that would be great."
