Ageless wonder Scott Pendlebury announces huge decision on AFL ...
Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury will play on next year, while coach Craig McRae has signed a contract extension to the end of the 2026 AFL season.
The 35-year-old Pendlebury will continue for a 19th season in 2024, putting the Magpies great in sight of his 400th AFL game. Only five VFL/AFL players have reached that milestone.
Pendlebury has played 370 games, a club record, and could join Brent Harvey (432 games), Michael Tuck (426), Shaun Burgoyne (407), Kevin Bartlett (403) and Dustin Fletcher (400) in the exclusive club.
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“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of this club for one more year at least,” Pendlebury said in a statement on Wednesday.
“I have completely bought in to what ‘Fly’ (McRae) and the coaches have created and I am loving it.
“Being a one-club player was one thing, something I am proud of, but my main motivation is to do all I can to assist the coaching group to develop our squad.
“As a collective we are loving our football and have an appetite to just getting better and succeeding which really excites me.”
Last year, McRae - in his debut season as Magpies coach - took the club to a preliminary final in which they were one-point losers to Sydney.
This season, Collingwood are premiership favourites and top the ladder with 11 wins and two losses.
Scott Pendlebury has signed for a 19th season with Collingwood, as he approaches his 400th game. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP“Leading this team and being a part of this great club is something I am incredibly grateful for and I look forward to continuing on this journey,” McRae, a former assistant at Richmond and Brisbane, said.
“In my 16 years of coaching I haven’t seen a group quite like this one, there is an incredible fight and real belief but above all there is a genuine support and care for each other.
“It is not lost on me that I have a key role to play at this club but so too does every player and member of staff.
“We are committed to getting better together.”
Collingwood’s football manager Graham Wright said the re-signings were a show of faith.
“Craig and Scott ... have both been instrumental to the development of our football program,”’ Wright said.
“There is stability with ‘Fly’ as the senior coach for another three terms and Scott as a key leader of the side for at least another season.
“The commitment from both men today speaks volumes for the future of this football program.”
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