In a surprising turn of events, Collingwood AFL captain Darcy Moore and his girlfriend, radio presenter Dee Salmin, have taken a significant step forward in their relationship by deciding to live together. This move comes despite Salmin's earlier public declarations that she intended to avoid cohabitation with a partner for as long as possible.
A Change of Heart
Dee Salmin, aged 31 and known for hosting Triple J's The Sunday Hook Up sex education program, had been vocal about her reluctance to share a home with a partner. In July 2024, she stated on the ABC show Ladies, We Need To Talk that she did not want to live with Moore, citing a desire to maintain independence and avoid falling into traditional heterosexual dynamics. However, the couple ultimately moved into a shared residence last year, marking a shift in their relationship.
Navigating Domestic Life
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Salmin revealed that the transition to living together has been positive. "We had lots of conversations about what living together would look like and how it would work, and it's been really fun," she said. Interestingly, it is Darcy Moore, 30, who handles most of the cooking in their household, challenging conventional gender roles.
Moore shared that this new living arrangement has brought them closer, allowing Salmin to witness the realities of his athletic career firsthand. "In a weird way, it's been good for me to be able to share that because often as captain I have to be the source of strength and stability and calm," he explained. "To be able to show her the real and challenging part of it has felt really nice."
Past Relationship Histories
The couple also discussed their backgrounds before meeting. Moore admitted that he had never had a serious romance in his entire adulthood, while Salmin had been single for three years prior to their relationship. "We had both been single for a long time – me, my whole adult life – so we were both pretty slow and calculated at the start. We didn't rush into anything," Moore said.
Salmin added that she had avoided dating for much of her 20s after growing tired of being "drawn to people who weren't that great." This cautious approach has influenced their relationship, with both emphasizing the importance of maintaining individuality.
Challenging Stereotypes
Salmin, often described as having "ultra-woke" views, has been open about her desire to avoid traditional domestic roles. She previously suggested that living together might lead to "domestic drudgery" and even proposed having separate bedrooms when they eventually cohabitated. "I think that it's something you really need to make sure that you're taking care of and working on... your partner can't be everything," she explained.
Despite these concerns, the couple has found a balance that works for them. Salmin noted, "We get to have so much of what we had when we were still single in our relationship," highlighting their efforts to preserve independence while sharing a home.
Public Appearances and Future
Darcy Moore and Dee Salmin have been dating since early 2023 and made their first major public appearance eight months into their relationship at the 2023 Brownlow Medal ceremony. Their decision to move in together represents a new chapter, blending their busy lives—Moore as a premiership-winning AFL star and Salmin as a prominent radio host—while navigating the complexities of modern relationships.
