Pies to Wait on Moore as Captain’s Return Uncertain

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Collingwood remains unsure when captain Darcy Moore will return due to ongoing soft-tissue injuries, while defender Brayden Maynard is expected to be back within one to two weeks after opting out of surgery for a dislocated shoulder. Meanwhile, North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri faces at least one week sidelined following jaw surgery, and Essendon welcomes back Andrew McGrath and Jye Caldwell after their recoveries from separate injuries.

Collingwood remains uncertain about the timeline for captain Darcy Moore’s return as he continues to recover from soft-tissue injuries that have sidelined him throughout the 2026 season. Moore recently completed a rigorous training program in the United States, but the club has yet to provide a definitive update on when he might rejoin the team.

Meanwhile, defender Brayden Maynard could be back in action as early as next week. Maynard, who opted against surgery for a dislocated shoulder, was listed as one to two weeks away from returning after being marked as "to be confirmed" on the injury list last week.

At North Melbourne, ruckman Tristan Xerri will be out for at least one week following surgery to repair a fractured jaw sustained during the Roos’ recent victory over Richmond.

Elsewhere, Essendon has received positive injury news with Andrew McGrath and Jye Caldwell both cleared to return to play this week. McGrath had been sidelined with a broken jaw, while Caldwell was recovering from an ankle injury.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.