Scott Pendlebury says Collingwood want to play finals every year, not just in 2017
SCOTT Pendlebury says every year is “finals or bust” for Collingwood and 2017 will be no different as the Magpies aim to return to September action for the first time since 2013.
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COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury has backed coach Nathan Buckley’s “finals or bust” declaration, saying he is determined to make sure the club features at the pointy end of the season.
Pendlebury returned to preseason training early, travelling to Falls Creek last week to join his young teammates in what he described as one of the most physically challenging days of his career.
Buckley said at the end of the season that he likely won’t be the coach of the Magpies beyond 2017 if the club fails to make finals, and Pendlebury says he won’t be holding back in his pursuit of September action.
“I’ve had (that feeling) for the 11 seasons I’ve played here — it’s always finals or bust,” he said.
“I think any club that sits there and says it’s not — I don’t know what they’re playing for. Every year that you play, in any sport, it’s always finals or bust and it’s no different.
“(A Collingwood staff member) said he hopes we’re here in October (next year). I don’t hope we’re here in October. We’ll work hard enough to make sure it’s going to happen.”
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The skipper also backed interim football boss Marcus Wagner, who has been appointed in the wake of Graeme Allan’s departure from the club last week, saying it is “business as usual” for the entire playing squad that returned for duties this week.
Pendlebury was joined at the Holden Centre on Tuesday by Collingwood women’s team marquee Moana Hope and Collingwood netball player and Australian Diamonds captain Sharni Layton, who said “to be a part of something bigger” is exciting for the group.
All three teams are training under the same roof for the first time this week, with the women’s outfit to take to the track for the first time together tonight at Olympic Park.
And Hope admits she has been pinching herself as her dream comes to fruition.
“Coming into this environment, everything (is new and impressive) because I’ve come from playing local football,” she said.
“You come into Collingwood and it’s just mind-blowing. I’m in the gym and Pendles is on the treadmill and I’m not sure how to train with all these amazing footballers and netballers around me. You sort of get distracted, but it’s amazing.”
Originally published as Scott Pendlebury says Collingwood want to play finals every year, not just in 2017
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