Collingwood premiership player Mick McGuane says Taylor Adams should replace Scott Pendlebury as Pies captain in 2017

COLLINGWOOD premiership player Mick McGuane has stunningly criticised Scott Pendlebury, suggesting he should be replaced as captain next year.

AFL Round 11: Collingwood v Port Adelaide Scott Pendlebury leads the pies off the ground Picture: Wayne Ludbey

TAYLOR Adams should replace Scott Pendlebury as Collingwood captain as soon as next year, Magpies premiership player Mick McGuane has sensationally declared.

McGuane, a two-time club best and fairest winner who played in Collingwood’s 1990 flag, believes Pendlebury — who has led the Magpies since the start of 2014 — doesn’t have the full backing of the playing group.

And if he’s going to talk the talk, McGuane says he needs to walk the walk.

“Lead from the front. If you’re saying it, you do it,” he said on RSN.

“And I don’t think Scott is doing it to the best of his capabilities right now. We know he’s a great player, no one will question that, but I question sometimes if he looks for easy ball when things aren’t going well.

“I’d have no problems with giving Taylor Adams the captaincy next year.”

McGuane says Adams, 22, “stands for aggression, stands for unity and stands for not suffering fools” and is “in the mould of a (premiership captain) Tony Shaw”.

“That’s how much I rate him,” he said.

A disappointed Scott Pendlebury after Collingwood’s loss to Port Adelaide. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Most importantly, when he says something, he’ll do it himself. And others will follow.

“I’m not sure whether Pendles has got that backing of the group right now. He’s saying a lot, he’s getting the footy a lot, but is he doing the hard work — the necessary hard work to turn the fortunes of a game around? That’s my question.”

McGuane said Adams won’t hesitate in getting things done.

“He’ll get his hands dirty and will change the fortunes of the team because he demands excellence,” he said.

“And he demands assertive nature, the way he plays his footy.

“That’s the type of guy that I’d be looking to lead.”

Originally published as Collingwood premiership player Mick McGuane says Taylor Adams should replace Scott Pendlebury as Pies captain in 2017