He was a leader in the backline for so long, and now premiership captain Nick Maxwell has passed judgement on two of Collingwood’s youngest defenders.

Speaking on Collingwood Media’s ‘Monday’s With Maxy’, Maxwell and co-host Michael Christian discussed the performances of Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard after their second AFL game.

“I was rapt that Moore and Maynard got another opportunity,” Maxwell said.

“I thought both of them made good decisions.”

After starting his career as a forward in round 14 against Hawthorn, Moore was sent to defence for the Thursday nights clash with Port Adelaide.

He had nine disposals and two tackles, but more importantly led Collingwood with nine one-percenters.

“I think he is only going to get better,” Maxwell said of Moore.

“He made good decisions when he went to leave his man, but also he’s clean when he’s got the ball.

“Obviously it was a high pressure game, (it was) pretty wet but I thought he did really well.”

The praise continued for 18-year-old Maynard who returned to the state where his father Peter is a SANFL legend.

Playing a role as a small defender, Maynard stepped up in the absence of Marley Williams and collected 18 disposals.

Maxwell believes decision making was the strongest area of the ex-Sandringham Dragon’s game.

“He knows when to leave his man and when he has to go,” Maxwell stated.

“As a small defender, I think he makes good decisions. He knows when to go and take a mark, when to shut down his opponent.

“He uses the ball really well. He had 18 disposals and kicked at 78 per cent efficiency.”

Despite encouraging games, maintaining a position in the team will remain a challenge for Moore and Maynard this week.

Williams is expected to return to the Collingwood defence for next Saturday’s clash with West Coast, while Tyson Goldsack may also be deemed fit.

However after Maxwell’s assessment, it appears the careers of these two young rookies is off to a promising start.