Pies future backline push up in the air

AFL: Collingwood defensive coach Justin Longmuir says Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe can provide an awesome aerial intercept team in the Pies’ back six this year.

And after a flawless pre-season campaign, injury-prone defender Matt Scharenberg is being schooled to tackle some of the league’s taller forwards.

Longmuir has crossed from West Coast to mould Collingwood’s back six and also the club’s defensive patterns as it strives to play finals again this year.

The Herald Sun understands Moore has been held back after a kick to the Achilles. He has been able to run but not engage in all full training or match simulation.

He is ramping up his workload and is set to team with Howe, Scharenberg and Lynden Dunn as the battery of Collingwood defensive talls.

Alex Rance and Jeremy McGovern have changed the modern game with their intercept marking power in recent seasons.

But while Longmuir was an assistant coach with McGovern at West Coast, he said it was not quite as simple as a licence to fly at everything.

“Darcy has missed a lot of training but the beauty of our backline is we are trying a few different players down there and they are eating up the work,” he said.

“He has missed some training but it is his ability to read the footy that holds him in good stead as a back.

“The thing that gets lost with all intercept markers like Rance and McGovern is they do it from strong defensive positioning.

“It’s not just playing on one-on-one; they have a strong defensive mindset then they read the play accordingly.”

Longmuir said rookie Brody Mihocek had impressed as a 192cm key tall after being plucked from Port Melbourne at pick 22.