Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury says Magpies must beat Melbourne in Queen’s Birthday clash

COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury admits it’s going to be difficult for the Magpies to stay in finals contention if they can’t beat Melbourne.

COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury admits it’s going to be difficult for the Magpies to stay in finals contention if they can’t beat Melbourne on Monday.

The 12th-placed Magpies (4-7) are coming off two consecutive losses and face a Melbourne side determined to record its first Queens Birthday Monday win against Collingwood since 2007.

“I don’t think it’s season over,” Pendlebury said today.

“But it makes it tough to get back from, so yeah it’s a must-win game for us.

“We really need a win, like last weekend.

“It was a really important game against Port Adelaide and we got showed up.

“On the weekend ultimately our team defence was really poor.

“I think they kicked seven goals from the goal-square.

“Our talls competed pretty well but our ground-level support wasn’t there.”

Scott Pendlebury says Monday is a must-win match. Picture: AAP

Melbourne’s skipper Nathan Jones said the 11th-placed Demons (5-6) were pleased with their growing midfield depth.

“I’d like (injured on-baller) Jack Viney to be back there,” Jones said.

“There’s a lot of young talent that is still gaining experience at AFL level. It has been handy for myself and Bernie (Vince) in particular.

“We’ve got a lot of depth there. There’s multiple players who can run through there.”

Jones said the Demons would be wary of Collingwood’s key forward Travis Cloke. The former All-Australian has struggled for form and played only five senior games in 2016, kicking a total of five goals.

“He has been under a bit of pressure,” Jones said.

“Watching the game last week, he certainly didn’t lower his colours.

“We’ve seen first-hand potentially what he can do to a game, last year kicking seven straight I think it was.

“I hope he doesn’t do that again, that’s for sure.”

Originally published as Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury says Magpies must beat Melbourne in Queen’s Birthday clash