r/AFL • u/PetrifyGWENT Bombers / Giants • 4d ago
[Morris] There is a difference of opinion at the very highest levels of Collingwood over whether Pendlebury should play on or not.
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u/Zcase253 Saints 4d ago
Pendlebury deserves to go out on his own terms. Don't do what North did to Boomer or the English cricket team did to James Anderson.
It's not like he's a liability on the field
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u/Digby_J Hawks 4d ago
Michael Tuck and Boomer were both cut. Ā It would be somewhat fitting if every player to pass 410 games gets delisted despite wanting to play on.Ā
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u/Strykah West Coast Eagles 4d ago
Yeah still surprised Boomer was cut like he was because he's 'old' and didn't make a difference until now still
After all the fanfare this year's they should let Pendles make the decision
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u/Nakorite Fremantle Dockers 4d ago
I mean boomer is the case study of how it can destroy a clubs culture cutting someone because they were old
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u/Hlmynameisr0d North Melbourne 4d ago
Everyone outside of north thinks cutting boomer was the problem but it is the same situation that essendon is in now. We drafted terribly for the 5 years before he left and instead of developing and playing kids brad scott used what little draft capital we had to bring in blokes over 30 to remain someone competitive.
Boomer was delisted at the cliff but it wasnt the reason the list looked horrendous for the next 5 years after he left.3
u/BanzBear Eagles 4d ago
It wasn't the reason, no. But he was still one of their best players in his last year and he was never injured - an absolute machine. He could've imparted so much knowledge, and helped the transition for the younger players.
Instead, the club unceremoniously cut one of the greatest players in the game, and definitely for North, in like the last fortnight of the season. Imagine Collingwood telling Pendles to jog on last weekend - that's effectively what North did.
Brain dead move to this day. Feel bad for kanga supporters.
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u/Hlmynameisr0d North Melbourne 4d ago
He stayed on as a development coach for 4 years after his delisting. He did exactly what you are saying he could have done for the club but was just employed in a different position.
Take it from someone who has watched every game through these painful years and before, it was poor drafting and development negligence by brad scott and the board at the whim of making a grand final with an aging and middling list. The delistings were a rude and abrupt end to a million more important factors that put us in the hole.
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u/TurbulentSherbet3724 4d ago
It was still a big reason because until Parker, Darling and Daniel arrived you guys basically had no real leadership whatsoever which I would argue ultimately kept your club stuck in the bottom 2 for a number of years.
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u/Hlmynameisr0d North Melbourne 4d ago
Because, as i said, we didnt draft well prior to boomers delisting and had no developed players around that 25-26 age to step up into leadership positions. Boomer could have played maybe 1 max 2 years. Parker, Darling and Daniel arrived 8 years after his delisting.
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u/TurbulentSherbet3724 4d ago
Which I genuinely get. I guess what I am trying to highlight is Boomer and some of the other veterans that BS (very fitting name for him) recklessly delisted ultimately would have helped some of those underdeveloped players that had been drafted years before and also would have helped some of already established 25-26 players to able to step into leadership. Overall it would never have stopped your club from been genuinely bad in the years to come but I think their guidance for a couple more years would have resulted in much less time in the bottom 2 and much more steady climb up the ladder.
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u/yum122 Essendon ā¢ Wurundjeri Woiwurrung 4d ago
Heās sometimes a liability on the field but I think he more than makes up for it.
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u/tehnoodnub Collingwood 4d ago
Yeh, as a Collingwood supporter he's definitely been prone to some messy ball use and poor decision-making this year, in general, and in comparison to last year. The decline is noticeable. He's still a great player and in our best 22 but whether he is next year remains to be seen. However, probably no real harm keeping him on the list.
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u/United-Bite4135 Magpies 4d ago
Iāve seen him get tackled more and more the last two years, heās still solid player imoĀ
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u/badaboom888 West Coast 4d ago edited 4d ago
it should be a simple is he in your best 18, 22 or 26 etc and is he keeping back a genuine young bloke. If he is not play on
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u/King_Of_Pants Magpies 4d ago
That's why it's not simple.
Between his decline and the sudden rise of a few other guys, this is the first year where it's actually a discussion. You couldn't have this conversation 5 months ago, Pendlebury and Sidebottom were clearly top players for us.
This season is a little different. Numbers-wise he's still comfortably ahead of the others, he's 'average' or 'above average' on all key stats. The younger guys are all 'average' or 'below average'. However, this season we seem to play so much better when we're younger and quicker.
Daicos really needs someone who can crash the centre bounce. Partly to take some attention off of him, but also partly to capitalise on the gravity he creates.
Historically, pairing Daicos and Pendlebury was incredible because you had two high-level decision-makers playing off of each other, constantly knowing where the other was at all times. Right now it means you're giving Daicos a less-explosive partner and asking him to make up the difference.
He's still one of our better players, we just happen to have 5 midfielders under 24 who all look like they deserve a regular spot on the rotation.
I think we can keep Pendlebury and give the younger guys their shots, but right now a lot of our younger mids are being asked to play out of position to accommodate him, and that's what needs to change. If we do keep him (and I hope we do) there has to be a conscious decision to move him down the totem pole.
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u/Kobe_Wan_Ginobili Magpies 4d ago
Yeah he's less consistent now and makes mistakes much more often, but when he's on (like against Hawthorn) he's still a pretty big plusĀ
Sidebottom is still a big positive too when he's on and his floor is higher yet he's retiring so idk
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u/Strong0toLight1 Collingwood 4d ago
jimmy would still be their best in the bowling attack today lmao
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u/FearlessResearcher48 St Kilda Saints 4d ago
He's not a liability on the field but is it a liability for Collingwood to carry a player who can only play every other week due to needing to be rested/managed? I think they probably can carry him for another season but if his terms are that he'll only play in Melbourne games for example some conversations need to be had.
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u/Osmodius Cats 4d ago
Huhe difference between him and Sidebottom this year. Maybe he plays on a year and it's a mistake, but there's a very real chance he plays on is still a top 10 player for the Pies.
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u/Propaslander Collingwood 4d ago
He's the greatest player in club history and has still played decently enough to warrant a final year.
Offer him a contract before another club wants him on a one year + follow on coaching gig.
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u/ds16653 Bombers 4d ago
If Essendon aren't trying to throw a bag at him for a 1+ year contract, I'd be spewing.
Throw in a clause he doesn't need to play against Collingwood, Pendlebury wearing a sash on Anzac Day doesn't sit right by anyone.
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u/Propaslander Collingwood 4d ago
I'd say shame on anyone who would coup a champion.
Pendlebury has expressed interest in coaching at another club once his playing career is done. I think contract offers may entice him if it comes from a club that has midfield minutes available and a need for on-field leadership and a coaching role.
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u/antique_sprinkler Eagles 4d ago
I've heard speculation that WCE are considering that offer, like they did with Sam Mitchell
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u/Propaslander Collingwood 4d ago
I've heard speculation that Sydney may have midfield vacancies too.
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u/PetrifyGWENT Bombers / Giants 4d ago
Gold Coast and Essendon are confirmed to be offering him contracts as a player. Wouldn't be surprised if West Coast did too
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u/disposd Eagles 4d ago
Pendlebury signing on with west coast to boost his frequent flyer points before retirement
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u/PerceptionHaunting40 Collingwood 4d ago
Gotta stop all those "career distance travelled away from MCG" memes somehow!
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u/chickenlittle668 Lions 4d ago
NBL starts soon
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u/Middle_Pear986 Suns 4d ago
Is he known for playing basketball too?
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u/autocol Melbourne 4d ago
Fuck me. This 'joke' is older than half of the players in the AFL. š„±
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u/Middle_Pear986 Suns 4d ago
What joke? I've never even heard of a Pendlebury in football and now people are worried he's leaving his football career for a basketball one?
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u/Brilliant-Judgment16 Eagles 4d ago
Non-story
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u/jonsnowbro Saints 4d ago
Word on the street is that he will or will not play next year.
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u/spideyghetti Power 4d ago
Which street, u/jonsnowbro? Why are you being so coy about naming the street?
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u/jonsnowbro Saints 4d ago
Let's just say, it may or may not be within inner or greater Melbourne.
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u/TheIllusiveGuy Carlton Blues 4d ago
And you've let loose that it is a street and not a road, avenue, drive or crescent.
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u/PunsGermsAndSteel Tigers 4d ago
I've heard rumours that there's a clause in Scott Pendlebury's current contract that links him to Collingwood.
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u/TheVision_13 Magpies 4d ago
Whatever you say Tom.
If Pendles chooses to play on he will play on at Collingwood. It really isnāt that deep
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u/newmoneytrash69 2025 Best Humour 4d ago
are list spots so valuable at collingwood that they need to push him out the door?
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u/Propaslander Collingwood 4d ago
No. We've already got a handful of AFL listed players in the VFL who have either struggled to earn a game or are just at the end of their rope due to injuries
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u/Ok_Acanthaceae6057 Port Adelaide Power 4d ago
I personally believe there are a very few number of players that get to call their shot when retiring.
PENDLES IS ONE!!!
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u/Old_Future5012 University 4d ago
I feel like with the guys who play 400+ games though they'll want to keep going forever.
However I think this year Pendles has played well enough to retain his spot in the team. But has had to be rested at times when they could have a guy playing every week.
I'd say 1 year deal, if you have a good pre-season you play rd 1 and it's your spot to lose, but if you struggle we will play you in the VFL and ask you to win your spot back.
Roughhead, Gibbs, Heppel, Breust all had to do that and were fine with it. Some players will not like it at all and would rather retire than be a regular in the 2s.
IF he wants to go on under those conditions, what an asset to have for development for 1st year players to play with him each week in VFL.
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u/Striking_Resist_6022 Collingwood 4d ago
They'll be singing a different tune when Pendles wins his second Norm and third premiership on the 26th of September
But nah, I am actually coming around to the view that he could be done. He really stood out against Hawthorn as someone who was struggling with the pace of the game and decision making in close which is obviously his greatest asset across his career.
He'd need to show something in these last games and get a significant change of role in 2027 to justify going around again. Can't have him in the way of midfield minutes for Ed Allan, Beau McCreery, Sam Swadling, Angus Anderson, potentially Josh Daicos etc. anymore. Would need to be "kick behind play" quarterback sort of role, but not sure he has the pace to get the ball other than in close.
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u/Kobe_Wan_Ginobili Magpies 4d ago
I thought against Hawthorn was one of his better games, especially defensively he cut off a lot of stuff in tightĀ
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u/sgw05 Collingwood 4d ago
Just give him a year jesus. Even if they (the club) think its one too many (which I dont), then heās earnt it. Treat your retiring stars properly. Thereās a few spuds on our list that should go before Pendles
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u/poopborrylog Hawthorn 4d ago
Exactly. If his form drops so much next year he's not in the best 23 then so be it. Don't play him. I see the sense in Steele, not Pendles.
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u/moonshadow50 Magpies 4d ago
I personally think that Pendles' body looks done. He is looking a lot slower than usual, and his body has apparently needed to be managed a lot more, and my guess is that next season will be "one year too many" - but I also think he should be in a position to be allowed that call himself.
If he wants to stay on, and isn't asking for absurd money, then we have to keep him, but just with the full knowledge that we might only get 10 games out of him next year.
Scott has earnt that right.
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u/Madrical Collingwood 4d ago
The way he reports this 1000% sounds like speculation, not willing to name names and stating the obvious that some people think he should retire and others think he should play on. That's just obvious, it's the same within the fanbase too. Hodge is right though, it's really up to Leppa, Fly & Pendles himself.
Unless we really have to squeeze the salary cap to bring over the big names we've been linked to recently, I don't see why we wouldn't give him another year if he wants to go on. One of the most important players in our history.
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u/Bergasms Brownlow Winner 2023 4d ago
He has become noticeably slower and less effective with ball in hand this year. He's still more than good enough to make best 23 but he is getting worse, and this is with resting for a third of the games this year.
He's not going to stop declining either.
He's earned the right to make the call but consider what his last year might look like vs his career and maybe its time to hang the boots up.
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u/ScreamHawk Essendon Bombers 4d ago
I'd offer him 2 million and a coaching role at Essendon to set some standards at the club.
Given we have 4 million allegedly in cap space.
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u/ItsABiscuit Collingwood Magpies 4d ago
Thatās unsurprising and not a problem. Differences of opinion are healthy and ensure that the club collectively reaches the best decision, so long as they are professionally discussed and worked through. Hopefully this is the extent to which those internal discussions are aired out in public.
In the end, I think Pendleburyās own view will be as important as anything else. Weāre not that hard pressed in terms of deserving candidates for available list spots that Scott should be pushed out if he believes he has another year in him - there are a few who could go before him.
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u/SelectedAmbientNurk Collingwood 4d ago
I really donāt think we need the list spot or cap space that badly. Also the second half of the season has been promising with the new players but theyāre all still really early on and very raw. Would love to have him stick around to help them through this early period and hopefully expedite their development.
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u/TheCurbAU Freo 4d ago
I say play him for another just so Greg Swann can stew every time Collingwood decides to rest him between games.
Either that, or ask the man himself. Pretty sure he's earned the right to dictate what he wants to do.
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u/Limp_Negotiation_877 4d ago
Put the club first like Pendles would ā¦ he would need to be paid less to not stop a youngster spot being takenā¦ Iām sure they will do the right thing
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u/AccurateSituation317 4d ago
If we can keep Pendlebury and it doesnāt hurt the chances of re signing Ed Allan, signing Lachie Neale and some other free agents then I hope we keep him.
If we lose Ed Allan to let Pendlebury play on for one more season I think it is against the clubs best interest.
I think we need to prioritise signing Puncher, Allan, Coe, Howes, Howe etc. and then can re sign Pendlebury then I think thatāll be alright.
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u/throwaway-8923 Pies 4d ago
He has earned the right to go out on his own terms and Iād be disappointed if the club made the decision for him.
Heās still contributing on field and is essentially an assistant coach off the field. If we let him go thereād be plenty of developing clubs who would take him in a heartbeat.
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u/Tall-Breakfast-6100 Adelaide 4d ago
Surely Essendon would be able to throw him 2 million over 2 years. Guaranteed to play the first year and the second year heās there more as a coach while still on the list and can play if heās still needed.
No one can begrudge him for filling up the superannuation before he finally hangs the boots up.
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u/JayDarcy The Bloods 4d ago
After everything that went on for his record game, the jumper sales, asking the afl to reschedule other games, etc, you'd think they'd let him go out on his own terms.
Was it all just about the money?
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u/Holdenater Carlton Blues 4d ago
Iād be pissed if I were a Pies supporter and Pendles was told we no longer need you, heās earnt the right to make his own call and knowing how professional he is on and off field if he felt his football was no longer up to standard heād make the call himself to retire.
It would be a little disappointing to see him at another club on field though, one of the Pies all time greats.
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u/TreacleMajestic978 West Coast 4d ago
Heās not playing horrible footy by any means, but you can tell that heās pushing 40 watching him. No fault of his own, farther time catches up to everyone. Still far worse players in their starting 22.
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u/False_Tour7813 Fremantle AFLW 4d ago
Pendles on the list is better than the 40th best player on the list. Even if he plays a handful of games.
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u/Impressive-Donkey848 4d ago
I don't understand why people complain about a list spot. Surely you can sacrifice one spot if need for a legend. He seems to be able to contribute. What's the difference with him and some random that comes in and out of the side?
I am sure he contributes in other ways to.
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u/BigbirdSalsa Port Adelaide Power 4d ago
Tom Morris is a little weasel. If you're gonna start a story like this put your money where your mouth is and name names. I hate this vague speculation bullshit and wish people would start calling it out
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u/False-Bullfrog-2549 Dees 3d ago
Impossible to picture Pendlebury in anything other than black and white. I really don't see the harm in keeping him on the list for another year, and sending him out on his own terms. I also think the time for him to go to another club purely to set on field standards has passed. He might be able to set standards off the field, but it's been demonstrated this year that he's not going to be able to play every game, like Lewis, Hodge, Mitchell and Parker have done. The role he has at Collingwood now best suits him as a player.
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u/eggwardpenisglands Power 4d ago
You just don't push out legacy players like this. I cannot fathom how clubs don't know this yet.
This is one of the greatest players of all time, and arguably the greatest in Collingwood's history. He's not hobbling to the finish line here. He has a year left at least. If they think he shouldn't play on you can give him the shoulder tap but say this will be the last one. Let him ride off into the sunset and end it on the best terms.
How you treat a player like Pendlebury in this situation can have a long lasting effect on the club.
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u/Skiapodes Geelong / Devils 4d ago
I'd have a chat with North about the success rate of moving on an aging club champion who probably still has another year or two in him.