Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury opens up on his intrusive COVID-19 test
We were relieved to hear Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury’s COVID-19 test came back negative. The Pies star has opened up on the eye-opening experience as he prepares to face the Bulldogs on Friday night.
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Scott Pendlebury has opened up about his brush with COVID-19 screening and despite the nerve-racking exercise the Collingwood captain wants the 2020 AFL season to start.
The brilliant Magpies superstar revealed the full and intrusive extent of coronavirus testing, which included an eye-watering nose swab and saliva scrape.
Pendlebury was tested at the Epworth Hospital last week after exhibiting minor flu-like symptoms.
“They do a nose swab which is a fair way up the snoz,” a candid and relieved Pendlebury told Instagram followers last night.
“(With) like an earbud type thing, but a long one. It goes right up and almost feels like it hits you right between the eyes.
“Not painful just uncomfortable. Then they do a mouth swab and then I didn’t have time to check if they used the same end – hopefully they didn’t.
“Then they did a secondary test just in your nose I think to check for other viruses.”
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The 32 year-old has been cleared to rejoin teammates today after being housebound for the past four days waiting for test results.
“I wasn’t overly nervous but as time ticks by and you’re expecting a call you just want the call, I got sick of my house,” Pendlebury said.
“I went outside (after I had the call and) went for a walk (and) I’d seen this lady and she looked at me twice, I’ve never seen someone get distance from me quicker than she did.
“It’s different but you do what you’re told and get on with it.”
Pendlebury was the first Magpie to experience the COVID-19 screening process.
Collingwood has been extremely proactive locking down the Holden Centre and implementing “insane” measures to reduce the risk of any players and staff falling ill.
Based on the medical advice given to Collingwood and AFL players generally, Pendlebury is comfortable playing in the knowledge he is at no greater risk of contracting the virus.
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“I definitely want to play,” Pendlebury said.
“That’s not just saying I want to play because it’s footy … we’re at no further risk than what a person that goes to work.
“I think it will just bring a level of calmness (to society) just to have something back in front of you because I think at the moment … it feels like we’re about to end.”
Pendlebury last night backed the AFL’s condensed 17-game season and the prospect of finishing the season in November and December and potentially away from the MCG.
But the Pie stopped short of endorsing top ups, comfortable current list sizes coupled with the postponement of state leagues should be enough to cover injury and suspensions.
