AFL round 3 MRO news: Scott Pendlebury’s spotless suspension record intact after MRO fine

Scott Pendlebury’s spotless suspension record is intact for now after avoiding a ban following an incident where the Collingwood champion says he was “sucked in” by Lachie Neale.

Scott Pendlebury whacks Lachie Neale

Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury has avoided the first suspension of his career despite being charged with striking by the match review officer.

Pendlebury threw an open palm into the abdomen of Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale as the two midfielders squared up for a contest on the wing during Thursday’s round 3 opener.

The whack left the Lions midfielder doubled over.

“(That is) definitely going to be looked at, no doubt about that,” declared Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor.

Pendlebury has never been suspended in his 386 AFL games.

The former Magpies captain said he apologised to Neale post-match.

“(Lachie Neale) said he got a fine for a similar thing afterwards,” Pendlebury said.

“After the game I said sorry to him, I didn’t mean to get him quite there and he said he did it last year and got a fine.

“What will be will be. Retaliator always gets caught. Mum told me that and I got sucked in tonight.”

The MRO graded Pendlebury’s hit as intentional, low impact and body contact, handing him a $3750 fine which will be reduced to $2500 which an early guilty plea.

Originally published as AFL round 3 MRO news: Scott Pendlebury’s spotless suspension record intact after MRO fine