2 weeks ago
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Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury says thanking those who have helped him pass Brent Harvey’s AFL games record has been a bigger focus for him than the scrutiny on the timing of his milestone game and the plans to celebrate it.
After being rested from matches against Hawthorn and Sydney in the past three weeks, the 38-year-old will play his 433rd match against West Coast in front of an anticipated full house at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The AFL has approved several initiatives to commemorate the match, including allowing Pendlebury to wear several special jumpers during the game with a gold No.10 on the back.
My Room, a children’s cancer charity, will receive a donation from Pendlebury (who has long been one of its ambassadors), which is likely to be a six-figure sum as a result of the commercial windfall arising from the match.
Some opposition clubs believe the league’s decision to allow payments to Pendlebury to sit outside the salary cap will open the door for them to request exemptions for other milestone matches.
Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell said he had no issue with the AFL’s call, as long as it applied to all in similar situations. How players are allowed to maximise their commercial appeal is likely to be a major discussion point during next year’s collective bargaining agreement.
Pendlebury, renowned for his faultless preparation, is not letting any of the talk distract him.
“I’ll stay out of that [debate] and just do what I do. I know what I am doing is right,” Pendlebury said.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae said on Friday night after the Magpies six-point loss to ladder leaders Sydney that it was logical for Pendlebury to pass the milestone at the MCG where a function is planned for those who have supported the Magpie throughout his career.
Most of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership group is expected to be on hand for the game, along with other former teammates, coaches, family and friends who have contributed to his career.
Pendlebury has been accessible in the build -up to the game and will hold a media conference on Monday afternoon as the celebration of his achievement begins.
Popular and well-respected by teammates, he played in Collingwood’s premierships of 2010 and 2023 as well as captaining the club from 2014-22. Steele Sidebottom was the only teammate to play in both premierships alongside Pendlebury.
“I have made a conscious effort to get around and text everyone privately who has played a big role [in my career],” Pendlebury said.
Pendlebury, who holds the AFL disposals record, has won a Norm Smith Medal (2010 grand final rematch), earned six All-Australian selections and won five Copeland Trophies as Collingwood’s best and fairest player, while finishing in the top-three of that count 14 times.
He will be the second player to break the league’s games record at the MCG, joining Michael Tuck who broke the games record at the venue in 1990.
No player has ever established a new games record outside Victoria, and Pendlebury will be the ninth player to pass the mark at their home ground. Only Collingwood’s Jock McHale at Geelong in 1914, Carlton’s John Nicholls at Windy Hill in 1974, Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett in a final at Waverley in 1980 and Hawthorn’s Tuck at the MCG have not been at their home venue.
Pendlebury is the third Magpie alongside McHale and Gordon Coventry to set a new games record for the VFL/AFL.
The Magpies have won four of the seven matches Pendlebury has played in 2026. He played in losses to Adelaide, Fremantle and Geelong and was removed from the match against the Giants early due to a minor Achilles tendon concern.
He has been battling minor niggles in his legs all year and played no part in last year’s preliminary final after injuring his calf soon after the opening bounce.
“His body isn’t as bulletproof as you think; with five- and six-day breaks, the data shows he is just getting to the line. We’re looking after him, and we’ll celebrate him appropriately,” McRae said on Friday night.
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