Scott Pendlebury, drafted by Collingwood with the fifth pick in 2005, has long stood out for his time, skill and calm presence on the field. He excels at finding space and moving the ball effectively amid pressure. As he approaches his 433rd game to set a new record for most matches played in VFL/AFL history, the 38-year-old continues to defy age. His nearly 20-year career ranks as the fifth-longest in the competition. Six standout performances illustrate his impact. In his 2006 debut, Pendlebury collected the ball in defense and set up a teammate with a handball before kicking a goal in the second quarter from a pass by Nathan Buckley. The following year he played a major role in the finals, recording high disposal and clearance counts in wins over Sydney and West Coast. In the 2010 grand final replay he earned the Norm Smith Medal with 29 disposals and strong tackling as Collingwood defeated St Kilda by 56 points. On Anzac Day in 2011 he collected 34 disposals, eight clearances and three goals to win the medal. During the 2023 grand final he helped set up a late goal that contributed to Collingwood’s premiership victory.
