Nathan Buckley and Alistair Clarkson awarded the silky skilled Magpie with the maximum 10 votes in the 2012 AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year.
The 24-year-old midfielder polled 79 votes last season to finish in seventh position, 15 votes behind the eventual winner Marc Murphy.
Teammate Dane Swan received one extra vote and finished in equal fifth alongside Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett with 80 votes.
The rest of Friday night’s voting was dominated by Hawthorn. Premiership captain Sam Mitchell was voted second best afield by the coaches in receiving eight votes, while Lance Franklin (5), Grant Birchall (3) and Cyril Rioli (3) all figured prominently.
Jarryd Blair was recognised for his 20-disposals and three goals with one vote.
Only one week into the season, Pendlebury leads the competition with his perfect score alongside Simon Black (Brisbane), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle), Hamish Hartlett (Port Adelaide), Josh Kennedy (Sydney), Josh Kennedy (West Coast), Brent Stanton (Essendon) and Scott Thompson (Adelaide).
Hawthorn v Collingwood voting
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Scott Pendlebury | Coll |
| 8 | Sam Mitchell | Haw |
| 5 | Lance Franklin | Haw |
| 3 | Grant Birchall | Haw |
| 3 | Cyril Rioli | Haw |
| 1 | Jarryd Blair | Col |
Collingwood leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (number of matches the player polled)
| Votes | Player |
|---|---|
| 10 | Scott Pendlebury (1) |
| 1 | Jarryd Blair (1) |
Leader board for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year
| Votes | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Simon Black | Brisbane |
| 10 | Nathan Fyfe | Fremantle |
| 10 | Hamish Hartlett | Port Adelaide |
| 10 | Josh Kennedy | Sydney |
| 10 | Josh Kennedy | West Coast |
| 10 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 10 | Brent Stanton | Essendon |
| 10 | Scott Thompson | Adelaide |
| 9 | Matthew Kreuzer | Carlton |
