Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas speak to media at the launchCOLLINGWOOD midfielder Scott Pendlebury says Dane Swan would be a worthy Brownlow Medallist, believing the accolade would be a fitting reward for his teammate’s sustained dominance in recent seasons.
Swan is a raging favourite to take out his first Brownlow after a standout 2010 season.
The hard-running midfielder has gathered 30 or more touches on 15 occasions this season and been the driving force behind his team’s surge to the top of the AFL ladder.
With the Pies on the eve of a finals assault, Pendlebury doesn’t think his teammate will be focussing on individual prizes but said Swan “most definitely” deserved a Brownlow.
“For the last three or four years he’s been probably the most consistent player in the game,” Pendlebury said on Thursday.
“This year’s just another example of how consistent he is. He gets tagged most weeks and opposition clubs know what he’s going to do but he somehow still manages to still do it, so he’s a super player.
“He’s a very relaxed fella and I don’t think any of that stuff will bother the way he goes about his football for the rest of the year.”
This week Pendlebury and the Pies will be focussed on one thing - beating an Adelaide side that is reeling from this week’s news that star defender Nathan Bock is leaving the club.
Pendlebury admitted the All-Australian’s absence wouldn’t hurt the Pies chances.
“I suppose it’s a good thing for us that he’s not going to be out there,” he said.
“He’s a really good player for their side, but it gives another player for them an opportunity to step up and prove himself.
“We can only plan for who’s going to be out there, so we’re looking forward to the game.”
Collingwood and Adelaide will be competing for the Westpac Community Cup, which this year will recognise the work done by the Country Fire Authority.
Dale Thomas, who was at Thursday’s promotion with Pendlebury, said the Pies would keep their foot to the pedal in the final weeks of the home and away season after a few days’ rest earlier in the week.
Collingwood players enjoyed a couple of nights away at Sorrento, which Thomas said was a chance to get away from Melbourne with “Collingwood supporters starting to go a bit bonkers”.
But after taking it easy, he hopes his side can increase its momentum ahead of September.
“I think we’ve still got plenty of room for improvement” Thomas said.
“So hopefully we haven’t peaked and hopefully there’s a lot of good footy ahead of us.”
