Collingwood's Darcy Moore believes soft-tissue injuries are no longer a concern, with the star defender preferring to sign a long-term deal with the Magpies, if possible in the current uncertain AFL environment.

Collingwood’s Darcy Moore enjoyed an ideal pre-season before the season was put on hold. Credit:Justin McManus

In a candid and revealing interview, Moore said he felt he was "well and truly out of the woods" in terms of soft-tissue injury risks after Collingwood changed his program over summer, the talented centre half-back having overcome a succession of hamstring issues that saw him miss the 2018 finals and make a trip to Germany with teammate Jamie Elliott for special treatment in November that year.

Moore, who is coming out of contract this year and is one of the game's most attractive players in that position, told The Age's Real Footy podcast that he could not engage in contract negotiations – the AFL has frozen all contract talks for players – given the uncertainty about the salary cap in future, but that his preference would be a longer-term deal, though he did not know "if that's going to be feasible" in the current environment of reduced revenue in the AFL.

"Now I'm not really sure. How do you know in this climate?" Moore said when asked about the length of contract he would like. "It might lend itself to a longer-term deal being preferable. It'll just depend on the club and how it's going to work and how it's all going to be set up.