CTV > Pendlebury/Clarke Tuesday press conference

COLLINGWOOD’S Irish recruit Martin Clarke has said that despite Essendon’s extensive injury list, the Pies won’t be taking the match lightly when they face off at the MCG on Saturday.

The Bombers are without Mark McVeigh for three to four weeks due to a knee injury and Andrew Lovett is another noticeable absentee as he misses his second consecutive game due to a club suspension.

“They’ve got a few injuries … but the core of their side is still there,” Clarke said.

“They’ve got a lot of great players. They’re scoring highly and the reason they’re winning games is they are not conceding as much. They’re a great side and we’re not going to be worrying about injuries because you can’t do that on the field.”

The Pies will be hoping to get back to winning ways this weekend against the Bombers after an 18-point defeat at the hands of North Melbourne.

Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury believes that a lot of commentators have overlooked just how well North Melbourne performed to secure victory.

“On the weekend I think a lot of people played down how good North were,” Pendlebury said.

“They played a pretty good brand of football that we weren’t able to counter and that’s the challenge that every side faces.”

Pendlebury denied that the round 16 loss or the Pies’ performance was a “nightmare”.

“It wasn’t a nightmare. Eighteen points is never a nightmare. Maybe 10 goals would have been a nightmare. North is a very good side. Like every team in the League they’re trying to find consistency. They just probably wanted it more on the night.”