Scott Pendlebury set to be given green light to play on if he wants: Collingwood coach Craig McRae
Collingwood’s greatest player in Scott Pendlebury could go round for another season, writes JAY CLARK, and deserves it, with the champion still one of the Pies’ best.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury has been all but given the green light to continue his extraordinary career next season, potentially putting him within reach of Brent Harvey’s all-time games record.
Magpies’ coach Craig McRae said a decision on his future would be left in the brilliant onballer’s hands out of respect to Pendlebury’s standing at the club, sparkling recent form and priceless on-field leadership.
However, Jordan De Goey will have to pass a fitness test to play Fremantle in the west on Friday night due to ongoing groin issues after experiencing more soreness on Saturday.
Forwards Brody Mihocek (hamstring) and Beau McCreery (concussion) are both in-line to return to face the Dockers if they pass fitness tests at training on Tuesday.
Pendlebury is the eight highest-rated player in the competition over the past month according to Champion Data after his two first-term goals and 30 possessions helped sink Adelaide by four points in another heart-stopper on Saturday at the MCG.
McRae said the club would likely meet with Pendlebury, 36, around the midseason bye to discuss a contract extension.
Pendlebury is on 393 games and is on track to play his 400th against Geelong in a Friday night blockbuster at the MCG in Round 18.
The six-time All-Australian and five-time best-and-fairest winner, who is ranked fourth at Collingwood for AFL Coaches Association votes this season, is likely to want to go on next year barring major injury.
An extension would put the smooth-moving left-footer within striking distance of Brent Harvey’s all-time games record of 432 matches.
Pendlebury needs to play 40 more matches to pass the North Melbourne legend.
McRae said it would be Pendlebury’s call to go on or not.
“With Pendles I have got the relationship and he was the captain, (so) this is your decision,” McRae said on SEN.
“I think that stands true with what he wants to do with his career. I’m not going to stand in the way of what he wants.”
But McRae said Harvey’s record was unlikely to be a strong motivating factor compared with team success as he chased a third premiership.
Collingwood has risen to fifth on the ladder after notching their fourth win in five matches at the weekend after a slow start to the season.
“He is such a team-oriented guy, you go speak to him and it’s all about team, there’s nothing selfish,” McRae said.
“He is so considerate around that, he knows if he is capable of doing it (breaking the AFL record).
“Maybe we have a chat in a couple of weeks and work through what that (contract extension) could look like.
“He is playing great footy for us and he is so important.
“He is so important for our younger guys who haven’t played much.
“He just puts them in the right position and gives them comfort and trust around him.
“(He) Brings the Nick Daicos of the world (into the play) and covers for him. Unbelievable, really.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Scott Pendlebury set to be given green light to play on if he wants: Collingwood coach Craig McRae
Revealed: The panel which will oversee Dees’ review after backflip
After rejecting the need for a full-scale review of the club all through 2024, Melbourne has backflipped. JAY CLARK reveals the three men who’ll conduct the sweeping review.
Macrae, Daniel … Bevo? The big off-season calls facing the Dogs
The Western Bulldogs have made finals in seven of the past 10 seasons but were smashed by Hawthorn on Friday night so where to now for Luke Beveridge? Plus the latest on a premiership pair.