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Sport
Shayne Hope

New Magpies captain eyes AFL premiership

New Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore is confident the Pies can continue their rise under Craig McRae. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

New captain Darcy Moore is already daring to dream of steering Collingwood to their next AFL premiership.

Buoyed by the Magpies' stunning rise in Craig McRae's first year at the helm, Moore has high hopes for 2023 as he takes the reins from former skipper Scott Pendlebury.

But the 27-year-old knows success isn't guaranteed after Collingwood's narrow preliminary-final defeat to Sydney last September.

"This team is definitely capable of anything," Moore said.

"We showed that last year coming so close to a grand final and two weeks before that coming so close to the eventual premier (Geelong).

"That really excites us."

Collingwood lost ruckman Brodie Grundy and talented young forward Ollie Henry in the off-season but added Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell to their on-ball division.

Key forward Dan McStay, Bobby Hill and Billy Frampton also arrived from rival clubs.

"We've had a busy period in the off-season with lots of change, bringing in some guys with some great experience, who already over the summer have added a lot," Moore said.

"But chemistry takes time and that's not a given, so we're under no illusions we're going to have to work hard at that, hard over the early part of the season to make sure we can move forward and progress as a team."

Collingwood made a giant leap from 17th in 2021 to a preliminary final last year, unexpectedly surging into flag contention under first-year coach McRae.

It gave the Magpies belief a premiership is possible this season but also put their rivals on notice.

"We're trying to improve but it's a bloody hard competition and all teams work as hard as each other," Moore said.

"We're going to have to stay ahead of the curve in many respects because teams are going to be expecting our best this season and there will be nowhere to hide."

Collingwood open their 2023 campaign against reigning premiers Geelong at the MCG on March 17.

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