Collingwood high-flyer Jeremy Howe believes that Darcy Moore’s ability to intercept as a defender will be a huge positive for the Magpies in 2018.

Moore, who played at both ends of the ground at times as a junior, is set to switch from attack to defence this season in an effort to shore up the Magpie backline, but also aid in his development as a player.

Howe told SEN Breakfast that he’s been impressed with what he’s seen thus far from the 21-year-old in training.

“The way that he (Moore) is, he always wants to learn more as much as he can,” he said.

“He’s put his best foot forward so far, he’s been training really well.

“The way the game is played – if you can win the ball back in the back half, I think Darcy can really add that to use with his marking ability and reading the play.”

Former Melbourne skipper Garry Lyon believes that Moore will be a success in defence, pointing to his performance in the final home and away match last season against Melbourne where he controlled the air in defence at stages.

“He has every attribute to play centre half back,” Lyon said.

“You can just see that some blokes can go to centre half back for a year and not do what he did for a year, and he did it in 10 minutes.

“He’s quick, he takes a mark, he’s courageous, he backs himself in the air. One of the I love most about him is his kicking – he’s a beautiful deliverer of the footy and he’s got great vision.

“He kicks hard, low and fast.”

Meanwhile, Howe says that injury-plagued forward Jamie Elliott is progressing gradually has he looks to overcome an ankle injury that required post-season surgery.

“He was running outside yesterday which is a great positive for him,” Howe said.

“The bloke that he is, he’s obviously going to get back as soon as he can but there is no point rushing him back.”

Howe also said that the support system that is now around coach Nathan Buckley – who signed a two-year contract extension at the end of 2017 – has allowed him to delegate a lot of the day to day tasks and that there has been a great feeling around the club throughout pre-season.

“With the coaches around him he’s got a real good support base,” he said.

“He’s got the ability to delegate and it’s a real growth in that area, but to his credit he’s been super.

“(He’s) really been focused on keeping the group up and about and fresh and the environment is good and energized at the moment.”

The Magpies kick off their JLT series with a clash against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra on March 1.

Did you miss Jeremy Howe’s chat with Garry and Tim? Listen below!