AFL 2022: All the scores, news and reaction out of the Adelaide v Collingwood match
Ahead of his 350th game, Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury says he still loves playing footy and can see belief building in his Magpies teammates that they have what it takes.Jay Clark
4 min read
July 15, 2022 - 3:12PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Scott Pendlebury was half expecting a bake last week.
Collingwood had played poorly for three quarters to trail North Melbourne by 26 points at the last change, and Pendlebury thought McRae might finally unleash on the group.
But the cook never came.
Instead, McRae brimmed with positivity in his final address, urging the Magpies to “attack the game”, and “get after them”, helping spark a five-goal final term to notch their seventh-straight win of the season.
Collingwood’s resurgence has been one of the stories of the season, and on Saturday against Adelaide the club’s games record holder and arguably greatest player will step out for his 350th game, becoming only the 20th man in the game’s history to reach the magical mark.
Over his glittering career, Pendlebury has not only been a brilliant ballwinner, but also the calming influence and constant driving force for the club through all manner of highs and lows.
But there is something special about the run Collingwood is currently on.
Instead of the bake Scott Pendlebury anticipated, coach Craig McCrae was only positive at three quarter time against North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images
And not only because so few saw it coming.
Remarkably, the man who has racked up the most disposals and second-most tackles since he stepped foot in the league in 2006, still has the fourth-best kick rating in the league.
Stepping through traffic with that little ball fake that always seems to tempt the first tackler into a misstep, or reading the play out of a stoppage, Pendlebury has always been the sharpest switch blade when it comes to lacing out targets on his lethal left foot.
And nothing has changed in season 17.
But the individual accolades and adulation is not what sustains the man who has already claimed six All-Australians, five best-and-fairest awards, three Anzac Day Medals, one Norm Smith and recognition from his peers as the game’s best captain in 2020.
The motivation in season 2022 is the feeling he and his teammates have about what they can achieve against all expectation this year.
Only one week ago, Pendlebury experienced it once again when McRae marched to the three quarter time huddle and surprised even the skipper a little with the kind of uplifting address that is making football so enjoyable for the Collingwood champion.
“You almost become a bit programmed to it in this industry in the sense that you would be standing there thinking ‘We are going to get a spray here’,” Pendlebury said.
“But every time I’ve have thought that this year, it has been the complete opposite from ‘Fly’.
“He has just got this great confidence in all of his players and against North at three quarter time he was like, ‘Don’t be afraid, guys. We can win this from here’.
“Let’s do the things we know and play with energy, because we were pretty flat last week. But he said ‘Let’s attack. Let’s get after them.’
“We want to be really fearless.
Scott Pendlebury and the Magpies want to be fearless when they run out onto the ground. Picture: Getty Images
“With what I want to do (coaching) after my playing career, it has been a real eye-opener because in this industry you get conditioned, and conform to the norm.
“So in certain situations you just expect a bake (from the coach).
“But he is a different coach to what I have experienced with Mick (Malthouse) and ‘Bucks’ (Nathan Buckley).
“It has really been a breath of fresh air. The coaches really have never-say-die attitude, they are really glass half-full all the time and I think that is really bleeding into the playing group.
“I’m seeing the guys really believe.”
Pendlebury, 34, is no fool, either. Winning definitely helps.
And as the captain of a team more known for its defence under Buckley, this high-pressure game style – which is laced with a freed-up attacking flair – has been just the tonic for a club which crashed to second last last season.
It’s chaos over control now, under McRae.
And the meticulous Pendlebury remains as committed as ever, trimming down over summer to start a new leaf on the half back flank, before moving back into middle for the big win over Fremantle on the road in Round 10.
Back in the centre square, the champion midfielder provides great balance, helping pinpoint the ball forward when he is not keeping the opposition out of the corridor.
“We’ve good a great group in there and my job is to help put guys in spots that is going to help them flourish,” Pendlebury said.
“I need to do my thing as well, and get on the end of it and help kick it inside 50m, and support the defence as well.”
More than 30 of his closest family and friends will join him in Adelaide to celebrate the 350, including wife Alex and children Jax and Darcy, after breaking Tony Shaw’s 313-game record in front of largely empty stands at the Gabba two years ago.
Scott Pendlebury’s family and friends, including his two children, will be on hand to help him celebrate his 350th game in Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images
But these remarkable milestones are unlikely to be his last, as the contracted Pendlebury has no doubt about his plans to play on next season. 400? It’s within striking distance.
“I’m contracted so, yeah, I am 100 per cent keen to play on next season,” Pendlebury said.
“Fundamentally, I still love what I do. I love getting about of bed in the morning and going to work. I love the training, I love keeping fit.
“Early on I could probably do it by myself or on my own- the gruelling running sessions and the gym work. Now I’m enjoying more and more doing all that with everyone, whether it’s Tommy Wilson, Nick Daicos or whoever. The banter.
“So, I’m still loving my time here and ultimately, of course, I’m chasing another premiership.
“But I also think I am playing an important role for the team. I’m not thinking I’m hanging on for dear life.
“I feel like I add to the group and the same guys I help with my experiences – and I don’t think they realise this – but they help me with my energy and my motivation and enjoyment, too.
“’Daics’ and ‘Ginni’, when they come to me for advice, I go to them for energy and enthusiasm and this is just what I love about our group at the moment.”
“It is a great blend of guys and and their personalities.”
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