Pies coach McRae defends Moore, confirms major team changes
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has flagged major changes to the club's defence against a tall Hawks forward line on Thursday but defended captain Darcy Moore's recent performances.
McRae concedes his team has real concerns after being bashed up in close against the Lions and shredded by six-goal hero Logan Morris.
Moore again had his colours lowered by a young key tall after Patrick Voss kicked six goals against the Pies two weeks ago, many of them on the Pies captain.
Billy Frampton impressed in the VFL on Saturday in his second game back after recovering from a calf injury and seems likely to replace Charlie Dean.
And Jeremy Howe should take on Hawthorn, set to join full training on Tuesday after a groin issue and then sickness last week that saw his return to the senior side delayed.
But the Pies have only a single full training session on Tuesday and plenty of concerns to rectify.
Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane said on Sunday the Collingwood midfield was 'bullied' by Brisbane, as veterans Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury failed to shine.
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd also told Nine he was 'concerned about Darcy Moore' given he failed to tighten up when a rival forward had the ascendancy.
Coach Craig McRae said he was an eternal optimist but after three losses in four games he conceded some of the defensive issues were real.
'We would be pretty close to being the best defence in the competition still, but we have got work to do,' he said.
'That (opposition goal power) is real, and Howey hasn't played those two weeks so are we too heavily reliant on Howey? Billy Frampton got through in the VFL today and I was really pleased with his game. There are some concerns. Deal in facts. Absolutely.'
He said he believed Howe was ready to return: 'I hope so, based on the last comment but he's positioned himself to be available. He has to get through training.'
He made clear no one was hanging the defence out to dry given the lack of competitiveness in the midfield.
'We rely heavily on system in our defence so to put the finger on an individual, that's not what we do. We all own that.'
Hawthorn did play four talls against Adelaide but for modest returns, with Calsher Dear eventually subbed off so Sam Mitchell also has a decision to make about the structure of his side.
Collingwood plays a Hawthorn side with two extra days break and then an Adelaide side that has won 10 off 11 games at Adelaide Oval the next Saturday night so the run home is imposing.
Collingwood has a 10-win streak at Adelaide and has also conquered Brisbane at the Gabba this year but would clearly prefer an MCG qualifying final.
Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill thankfully pulled up well and should take on Hawthorn, but Sloane said the midfield had to lift.
'They bullied Collingwood's midfield last night. The contested numbers were off the chart. They ended up plus 19,' he said
'They were cleaner than Collingwood, they made the ball look dry and they broke through Collingwood's pressure.' Early Tackle: Houston, Pies have a big problem
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