With 35 possessions, including 15 contested disposals and five clearances, Pendlebury was a dominant force, headlining a Magpie midfield which asserted its status as one of the leading combinations in the league.
Having only featured as a quartet on six occasions over the past two seasons, the ensemble of Pendlebury, Ball, Beams and Swan have provided the impetus for Collingwood’s late season charge, their influence inspiring a Magpie outfit poised to loom as a genuine dark horse come September.
Indeed, Pendlebury’s midfield compatriots joined him in dominated polling from the weekend’s clash, with Luke Ball awarded six votes for his gritty display, highlighted by 16 contested possessions and six tackles, while Dane Swan was judged next best on ground with five votes.
With 32 possessions, including six inside 50s, Beams received three votes for his efforts, continuing a stellar run of form which has confirmed the reigning Copeland Trophy winner has firmly overcome the lingering effects of a debilitating quadriceps injury.
Brent Macaffer completed Collingwood’s representation in the voting, his lockdown performance on Josh Kennedy rewarded with three votes as the 2010 Premiership player continues to revel in his newfound role as a tagger, while Sydney’s Kurt Tipper also received three votes for his six goals.
With three rounds remaining, Pendlebury looms within striking distance of leader Kieren Jack, while he has closed within six votes of Brownlow Medal favourite Gary Ablett, who sits second on the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year leaderboard.
Competition disposals leader Swan meanwhile has climbed to seventh place, his stellar second half of the season propelling him one vote clear of Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield.
Sydney v Collingwood - Round 20
| Votes | Player | Club |
| 10 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 6 | Luke Ball | Collingwood |
| 5 | Dane Swan | Collingwood |
| 3 | Dayne Beams | Collingwood |
| 3 | Brent Macaffer | Collingwood |
| 1 | Kurt Tippett | Sydney |
Collingwood Leaderboard for the 2013 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award (after 20 rounds)
| Votes | Player |
| 74 | Scott Pendlebury |
| 65 | Dane Swan |
| 37 | Steele Sidebottom |
| 32 | Travis Cloke |
| 23 | Harry O'Brien |
| 20 | Heath Shaw |
| 17 | Luke Ball |
| 12 | Sam Dwyer |
| 10 | Jamie Elliott |
| 9 | Paul Seedsman |
| 7 | Dayne Beams |
| 7 | Brent Macaffer |
| 7 | Dale Thomas |
| 5 | Nathan Brown |
| 4 | Jarryd Blair |
| 4 | Quinten Lynch |
| 3 | Ben Reid |
| 3 | Ben Sinclair |
| 2 | Ben Kennedy |
| 2 | Marley Williams |
| 1 | Ben Hudson |
| 1 | Darren Jolly |
| 1 | Andrew Krakouer |
| 1 | Kyle Martin |
| 1 | Alan Toovey |
Overall 2013 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award Leaderboard (after 20 rounds)
| Votes | Player | Club |
| 90 | Kieren Jack | Sydney |
| 85 | Gary Ablett | Gold Coast |
| 79 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 78 | Joel Selwood | Geelong |
| 76 | Ryan Griffen | Western Bulldogs |
| 70 | Daniel Hannebery | Sydney |
| 65 | Dane Swan | Collingwood |
| 64 | Patrick Dangerfield | Adelaide |
| 63 | Nathan Fyfe | Fremantle |
| 60 | Rory Sloane | Adelaide |
