As Scott Pendlebury approaches the 400-game milestone, take a look back at his 240 wins to determine which could be considered as his best and most impactful of his career. From Grand Final wins, Norm Smith Medal performances, ANZAC Day Medals and career best games, Scott Pendlebury has just about done it all.
#10: Round 8 v Geelong, 2012 (Collingwood win by 12 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 30
Contested Possessions: 10
Tackles: Six
Goals: Four
Playing the Cats for the first time since losing the previous year’s Grand Final, Collingwood led at every change to triumph their rivals by 12 points. Scott Pendlebury was influential with a career high four goals on the day, including the sealer from inside the centre square with 50 seconds left of the last term.
#9: Round 23 v Fremantle, 2011 (Collingwood win by 80 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 36
Contested Possessions: 16
Tackles: Five
Clearances: Eight
Goals: Two
A convincing win for the Pies on the road at Subiaco Oval saw them extend their winning run out to 14 games for their 20th win of the season. Unsurprisingly, Pendlebury came away with three Brownlow votes as he put in one of his best individual games of his career.
#8: Preliminary Final v Geelong, 2010 (Collingwood win by 41 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 24
Contested Possessions: 11
Tackles: Seven
Goals: Two
A Preliminary final win over Geelong which would see Collingwood eventually play off in two Grand Finals before being crowned Premiers over St Kilda. The Pies dominated the first half kicking seven goals in the first quarter, followed by six in the second. Pendlebury was influential alongside Dane Swan and Alan Didak, with the trio accumulating 85 disposals and five goals in total.
#7: First Qualifying Final v Geelong, 2019 (Collingwood win by 10 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 24
Tackles: Nine
Goals: One
In what was Scott Pendlebury’s 300th career game, Collingwood never gave the Cats a chance. The Pies led the game for every second of the match despite not kicking a goal in the final term. Pendlebury kicked his only goal and the final goal for the Pies 21 minutes into the third term - extending the lead out to 25 points.
#6: Semi Final v West Coast, 2007 (Collingwood win by 19 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 26
Contested Possessions: 11
Goals: One
Travelling over to the west to play in a semi-final against the reigning premiers, the scores were locked at 72-72 at the end of four quarters as the game went to extra time.
With 1:40 left of the clock, Travis Cloke knocked the ball out of the contest, Martin Clarke picked up a loose ball to find a then 19-year-old Scott Pendlebury with an empty 50 metres ahead of him. Pendlebury kicked the goal to seal the game for the Pies and send them into a Preliminary Final versus Geelong.
The game would be widely considered a breakout performance for young Pendlebury.
#5: ANZAC Day v Essendon, 2010 (Collingwood win by 65 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the day:
Disposals: 29
Tackles: Five
Clearances: Five
Goals: One
The 2010 ANZAC Day game was the first time Pendlebury really arrived on the big stage, putting in a stunning performance as the Pies cruised home to win by 65 points. Pendlebury would win the ANZAC Medal in what would become the first of many individual awards for the midfielder, including one of three ANZAC Day medals.
#4: Round 16 v Adelaide, 2013 (Collingwood win by 27 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 42
Contested Possessions: 16
Tackles: Five
Clearances: Eight
Goals: Two
Simply put, Scott Pendlebury DID IT ALL against Adelaide at the MCG. The Pies started slow, having to make up a four-goal deficit at quarter time. Pendlebury was everywhere the ball was, kicking the sealer with five minutes left of the last term and pulling out an iconic goal celebration.
#3: ANZAC Day v Essendon, 2011 (Collingwood win by 30 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 34
Tackles: Eight
Clearances: Eight
Goals: Three
A performance that will never be forgotten by Pendlebury, as he won his second consecutive ANZAC Medal. Having an even better ANZAC Day than the previous year, the dreadlocked Pendlebury dominated the game in all areas.
Winning the ball out of the centre with eight clearances and going forward to kick three goals, Pendlebury was unstoppable that day. He kicked goals with his left and right foots from opposite pockets, plus a set shot after the final siren to kick off the celebrations post-game.
#2: Grand Final Replay v S Kilda, 2010 (Collingwood win by 56 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 29
Contested Possessions: 10
Tackles: 11
Clearances: Six
Coming back to do it all again after a Grand Final draw, Collingwood were not about to let this one slip. Scott Pendlebury and the Pies were dominant in the 2010 Grand Final replay with the midfielder putting on an impressive display.
Winning the ball in and under the contest and applying plenty of pressure to the opposition, Pendlebury came away with the Norm Smith Medal in his first Premiership win and his first taste of success in just his fifth season of football.
#1: Grand Final v Brisbane, 2023 (Collingwood win by four points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 24
Clearances: Six
Goals: One
It was a historic 13 years between drinks for the veteran, as the Pies managed to beat out the Lions in thrilling Grand Final. Pendlebury turned the clock back in time, as he used all his experience and knowledge to impress on the biggest stage.
An iconic goal, late in the third term to put the Pies back in front will forever be remembered by the Collingwood faithful, as their legendary hero cemented his name in the history books, as a two-time Collingwood Premiership player.
Honourable Mentions:
Round 23 v Carlton, 2022 (Collingwood win by one point)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 26
Contested Possessions: 10
Tackles: Six
Clearances: Seven
Collingwood came from 24 points down at three quarter time to beat the Blues by one point, sending the Pies into the top four and knocking their rivals out of the finals race.
First Final v West Coast, 2020 (Collingwood win by one point)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 18
Contested Possessions: Nine
Clearances: Six
A gutsy win in the west for the Pies as they progress through to the semi-finals of an interesting, COVID affected year.
Round 2 v Sydney, 2014 (Collingwood win by 20-points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 33
Contested Possessions: 16
Tackles: 10
Inside 50s: 11
Goals: One
One of Pendlebury’s best performances of his career as the Pies get the job done at Stadium Australia by 20 points.
Round 8 v Gold Coast, 2015 (Collingwood win by 69 points)
Scott Pendlebury’s stats for the game:
Disposals: 35
Inside 50s: Eight
Goals: ThreeGoal assists: Four
As a 26-year-old Scott Pendlebury played his 200th game, he was let to run loose by the Suns at Carrara. As one of the best midfielders in the competition, the Collingwood Captain led from the front, taking the Pies to 69 point victory in the sunshine state.
