“Do you want to play safe or… – New story emerges as Kane Cornes offers bold words on Collingwood’s future,following a captaincy switch from Darcy Moore to Nick Daicos ahead of 2026 season
MELBOURNE, Australia – A storm of speculation is brewing around Collingwood Football Club as former AFL great Kane Cornes publicly urged the reigning powerhouse to strip Darcy Moore of his captaincy and hand the leadership reins to young sensation Nick Daicos ahead of the 2026 season. The call, made during Cornes’ appearance on SEN Radio, has left Magpies fans divided — with some applauding the boldness of the idea while others call it an unnecessary shake-up to a stable and proven leadership structure.
Cornes’ comments come just weeks after Collingwood’s humbling preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Brisbane Lions, a defeat that exposed cracks in both their consistency and depth. While most of the football community assumed coach Craig McRae and his side would stick with their winning formula, Cornes believes now is the perfect time for change — and that Daicos, despite his youth, represents the future of the club’s identity.
“Is it this year for Nick Daicos? It’s a big call,” Cornes said on SEN. “I think the safe thing is Moore again — it’s in safe hands. But do you want to play safe, or do you want a fraction more flair? He’s too easy to play against. He has good games, but far too often he’s exposed. Far too often he gets bags of goals kicked on him. I would change, but I think they’ll play it safe.”
Cornes’ criticism of Moore — though measured — is striking given the defender’s record. Since being appointed captain in 2023, Moore led the Magpies to a premiership in his first season and has generally been praised for his composed leadership style and professionalism. However, Cornes suggested that despite Moore’s character and off-field presence, his on-field form has at times left him vulnerable to the league’s top forwards, prompting questions about whether his performances still justify the captaincy role.
Moore, 29, remains one of the most respected figures at Collingwood and among AFL players generally. His transition from star defender to club leader was seamless, embodying the Magpies’ trademark blend of humility and toughness. Yet Cornes’ suggestion to consider Daicos as captain is far from unfounded. The 22-year-old midfielder has rapidly become one of the league’s brightest stars, earning All-Australian honours, a Copeland Trophy, and a reputation for his dazzling foot skills, composure, and game awareness that belie his age.
“Nick’s got everything you want in a captain,” Cornes added. “He’s composed, he’s accountable, and he sets the tone every time he steps on the field. You can just sense that players look to him. If Collingwood are planning for the next decade, maybe it’s time to hand him the keys.”
The debate isn’t limited to leadership, either. Cornes also fired shots at Collingwood’s handling of the AFL Trade Period, accusing the club of stagnation when rival teams made aggressive moves to strengthen their lists. The Magpies, he argued, have “gotten worse” after failing to recruit significant midfield support — an area brutally exposed by Brisbane in the finals.
“There are some clubs that didn’t do a whole lot,” Cornes said on AFL Trade Radio. “There are some clubs that got no better, and in a competition that is so even, if you haven’t got better, look out. Collingwood have gotten worse. There’s no doubt about that, because they’re a year older, they lose Mihocek, and they haven’t bolstered the midfield at all.”
Cornes pointed to the departures of veteran ruck-forward Mason Cox and 2023 Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell — both delisted at season’s end — as further evidence the Magpies are entering 2026 with diminished depth. Their trade window, which saw Brody Mihocek move to the Melbourne Demons in exchange for a future third-round pick and the modest addition of Jack Buller, has left fans questioning whether the club’s premiership window is starting to close.
While the club did secure contract extensions for Lachie Sullivan and Noah Howes, Cornes maintained those deals were hardly enough to inspire confidence. The Magpies also missed out on key targets Jy Simpkin and Clayton Oliver, both of whom would have provided much-needed midfield reinforcement.
Supporters, meanwhile, remain split. On social media, some believe the club must “evolve or be left behind,” backing Daicos to inject fresh energy and leadership into a team that appeared mentally and physically spent late in 2025. Others argue that removing Moore after two strong seasons as captain would be reactionary and risk unsettling a team already searching for momentum.
Coach Craig McRae, who first entrusted Moore with the captaincy two years ago, has not publicly commented on Cornes’ remarks. However, those close to the team suggest McRae values stability and loyalty, making an immediate leadership change unlikely. “Moore has the full support of the locker room,” one club insider told Yahoo Sport Australia. “The players respect him deeply. Daicos is a natural leader, yes, but he doesn’t need the title to influence games — his play speaks for itself.”
Cornes, never one to shy away from controversy, also extended his critique beyond Collingwood, calling for change at Melbourne Football Club as well. He questioned Zach Merrett’s position as captain after reports emerged of his desire to move to Hawthorn. “It won’t be Merrett — and shouldn’t be,” Cornes said, proposing Andrew McGrath as the ideal successor, with Sam Durham positioned as the long-term leader.
Still, it’s the Collingwood debate that has set the AFL world alight. The notion of Daicos — who grew up idolizing the Magpies and whose father Peter Daicos is a club legend — captaining the same side his family helped define is a storyline straight out of football folklore. Should McRae ever make that call, it would mark a symbolic passing of the torch to a new generation.
For now, though, the situation remains hypothetical. Moore appears set to continue as captain, Daicos will keep dazzling fans with his silky skills, and the Magpies will attempt to regroup for another flag run. But as Cornes’ comments circulate through the AFL world, one thing is clear: expectations remain sky-high, and anything short of a strong 2026 campaign will only amplify calls for change.
As preseason looms, Collingwood face the challenge of balancing continuity with innovation — and of proving, once again, that their dynasty is far from over. Whether that journey is led by Moore’s steady hand or Daicos’ youthful brilliance could define the next chapter in one of Australian football’s most storied clubs.
