‘Got sucked in’: Scott Pendlebury caught whacking Lachie Neale

Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury is set to come under scrutiny after he lashed out in a rare act of aggression against Brisbane.

Scott Pendlebury could be in hot water for this hit on Lachie Neale.

Scott Pendlebury could be suspended for the first time his career if he comes under scrutiny for an off the ball hit on Lachie Neale in Collingwood’s win over Brisbane on Thursday night.

In a clash between last year’s grand finalists, the Magpies got their first win of the season with a 14.8 (92) to 10.12 (72) victory.

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Neale was Brisbane’s best player on his return from a hamstring injury, finishing with 34 disposals and a goal.

But Collingwood’s night be soured by an incident late in the third quarter. Pendlebury whacked Neale in the ribs with an open hand, forcing the Lions skipper to double over in pain.

Brian Taylor described it on Channel 7 as “open hand to the guts”.

“I wonder what happens there. Definitely going to be looked at, no doubt about that,” Taylor said.

Joel Selwood added: “I think he’d have a pretty clean record but it doesn’t come down to that in this day and age.

“So I’m not exactly sure what will happen but I’m sure it’ll be looked at throughout the week.”

Watch Pendlebury’s hit on Neale in the video player above.

Scott Pendlebury could be in hot water for this hit on Lachie Neale.

With 386 games under his belt, Pendlebury is on track to become the sixth player in V/AFL history to play 400 games later this season.

The 36-year-old has never been suspended in his career.

Luke Hodge said: “He wouldn’t want to give up too many. He’s not far away from 400.”

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy wrote on X: “I don’t even get what Pendlebury is trying to do there? He hasn’t disguised it at all.

“It’s just silly from Pendles. Why do it? It should only be a fine but you don’t expect that from your most experienced player.”

Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb said: “I love Scott Pendlebury but even open-handed you can’t go around thumping blokes in the guts like that.”

Pendlebury and Neale exchanged words with a smile after the game, and the Pies veteran hoped he would get away with a fine.

“He said he got a fine for a similar thing,” Pendlebury said, referring to a similar incident between Neale and Carlton’s George Hewett in Opening Round.

“After the game I said sorry to him. I didn’t mean to get him quite there. What will be will be.

“Retaliator always gets caught, mum taught me that and I got sucked in tonight.”

Neale was in pain. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

SEN’s Sam Edmund wrote on X: “This is where the AFL ties itself in knots. Had the chance to suspend George Hewett and botched it.

“Didn’t suspend Neale for a retaliation strike either. So Scott Pendlebury can’t go for that can he? Both incidents while waiting at a stoppage.”

“It was very uncharacteristic of Pendles, very unsociable as well,” said Leigh Montagna on Fox Footy.

“I think something like that, he might be getting a bit of a fine coming his way and hopefully that’s all.

“It just shows what this means to both these teams that he’s prepared to do that.”

Collingwood’s 20-point win sees the reigning premiers move to 1-3, while Brisbane slump to 0-3.

Nick Daicos had 30 disposals, while Jamie Elliot (four goals), Brody Mihocek (three goals) and Bobby Hill were the main goalkickers for the Magpies.

The Lions have lost their first two games at the Gabba this season after winning their previous 14 games at their home fortress.