SP400: All the news and colour as Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury becomes the sixth player in history to play 400 games

What a night. The Magpies held on to honour milestone man Scott Pendlebury, giving him a send-off that was equally as stirring as what happened pre-game.

Collingwood’s 2024 season has a beating pulse again as it turned Scott Pendlebury’s 400-game appreciation week into a season-saving victory after Mitch McGovern missed an after-the-siren shot that would have won the game for Carlton.

In an extraordinary finish to a see-sawing game before almost 87,000 fans, McGovern had the chance to complete a stunning Blues comeback. The Magpies looked certain to win when they raced out to a 32-point lead three minutes into the final.

But a Patrick Cripps-inspired last term fightback almost dragged them over the line before McGovern’s kick missed to the right, leaving him shattered and Collingwood’s players elated in securing the victory for their much-loved former skipper.

Scott Pendlebury celebrates after the final siren on Saturday night. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

And being chaired off the MCG by teammates Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Pendlebury was the man of the moment, for so many reasons. He was not only the inspiration behind Collingwood’s win, he also played a strong part in making it happen.

Forty one years after Kevin Bartlett became the first VFL-AFL player to reach footy’s version of the Everest summit, and almost 6700 days since a teenager from Sale played his first game for Collingwood, Scott Pendlebury crossed that same footy threshold on Saturday night.

On a significant night for the game played out before a massive MCG crowd and with the early pressure of a final, these two bitter footy rivals went into battle with their seasons on the line.

But the pre-game belonged to one man, 36-year-old Pendlebury, who was about to join Bartlett, Michael Tuck, Brent Harvey, Dustin Fletcher and Shaun Burgoyne as the only men to be a part of the 400-game club.

An absolutely insane ending to #AFLPiesBluespic.twitter.com/WRISapXwtT

— AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2024

Pendlebury with son Jax, wife Alex and daughter Darcy pre-game. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Jax joined his dad in running through the banner. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The milestone man was given a stirring entrance. Picture: Mark Stewart

After a full week of features and fanfare, Pendlebury was given a stirring entrance onto the MCG – his 252nd game on the hallowed turf – as he led the team out before the match.

A guard of honour stood on either side of the Pies banner – fire lighting the way and fireworks launched from the top of the main scoreboard – with his family, friends and a contingent from his former hometown of Sale making up the entourage on the ground.

He was joined by his kid Jax, eight, and Darcy, four, as he prepared to run through the banner, with parents Bruce and Lisa on hand, as well as brother Kris and Ryan.

Earlier, a hilarious rendition of the story - a reworking of The Beatles’ Let It Be - was belted out by Ben Henry on the ground as the Magpies were warming up inside the rooms.

Perhaps the biggest roar came as Pendlebury was warming up on the ground before the game when his name was flashed as part of the player introductions on the big screen.

It was almost as loud as the goal he helped to set up late in last year’s grand final.

Scott Pendlebury receives a standing ovation from the MCG crowd in the 10th minute of the match. #AFLPiesBluespic.twitter.com/YQ43KC54FH

— AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2024

The Pendleburys 🖤 pic.twitter.com/3G4Efb6SQ7

— AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2024

Pendlebury moments before the first bounce. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

He started on Patrick Cripps and had an immediate impact. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

He started on Cripps and got to work early in the game, landing a big bump on Blake Acres then almost brought the house down with a left foot checkside that looked like being a goal before just clipping the post.

What were the footy gods thinking … they clearly hadn’t read what the script was meant to be.

But in reality, the win was all he truly wanted

Pendlebury waves to fans who showed up early. Picture: Mark Stewart

And was all smiles during the warm-up. Picture: Mark Stewart

Originally published as SP400: All the news and colour as Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury becomes the sixth player in history to play 400 games