Fresh off inking his new four-year deal contract extension with the Magpies, Pendlebury said clubs were following the Geelong model of stacking their midfield with hard nuts and players who can win the footy.
"I think what we learned after winning our premiership [in 2010] is that everyone models their game plan on that side," he said on SEN on Thursday morning.
"I've got no doubt that everyone has looked at Geelong and picked apart that game plan a thousand times over.
"What has always stood out for us when playing against Geelong is just how hard and big all their midfielders were in the body and it's not just one or two guys, but all of them.
"[And] what I've noticed throughout the pre-season is that a lot of other midfielders have bulked up and contested footy is back in fashion."
The Cats remain the yardstick for Collingwood in 2012.
"They've been such an incredible side, winning three flags in five seasons ands its something that this football club is striving to do," he said.
Pendlebury added that Collingwood's game-plan won't be drastically different under new coach Nathan Buckley, but said there would be some subtle - and noticeable - differences.
"The basis of our game has been pretty successful over the last few years and you'll still see us going fairly wide but it's also making sure we're aggressive with our defence and making sure that when we have the chance to hurt a side that we really do that," he said.
Pendlebury also forecast that neither the Magpies, nor Hawthorn, their Friday night opponent, would be drawing much on their respective shattering losses at the end of last season.
"I don't think Hawthorn will be looking back [at the preliminary final]. They can't win that game and we can't go back and win that Grand Final."
"It's a new campaign; a new start for us and we just look forward to Friday night. They're a great side and we've had some great battles with them and we look forward to doing that again," he said.
