CTV > Scott Pendlebury post-match interview
CTV > Mick Malthouse post-match press conference

Scott Pendlebury says the Magpies let themselves down against the Kangaroos, but can bounce back.

The 20-year-old was one of Collingwood’s best in the 18-point loss to North Melbourne on Friday night, gathering 25 touches, including nine contested, laying four tackles and booting a goal, however he didn’t have enough in-form team mates as the Magpies wasted a three-goal lead midway through the second term.

Pendlebury told collingwoodfc.com.au after the game that coach Mick Malthouse was disappointed the players coughed up their first-half lead.

“Early on we were playing pretty well, we were up by 19 points at one stage there in the second quarter, and I think it’s just a case of what’s been happening throughout the year, we get up and we just switch off,” Pendlebury explained.

“That was the message from Mick. We can’t afford to lay down to teams that we think we should beat, and North played with great spirit, and we knew that, we just couldn’t match it and they wanted it more, and they got it.”

Despite Collingwood winning more clearances, Pendlebury believes the quality of the Kangaroos’ possessions was better, and the Magpie forwards weren’t given enough chances to create contests in attack.

“I think clearance wise we did pretty well, we competed, we even got on top, but a few times they got a few easier clearances, they got it through on the fly, and were able to hurt us.

“I suppose going forward, big (Drew) Petrie took too many uncontested marks deep in the forward line, we just needed someone to be smashing into him, whether it’s Trav (Cloke), Jack (Anthony), Medders (Paul Medhurst), just to create a contest, to give guys like Dids (Alan Didak) and Daisy (Dale Thomas) a chance on the ground.”

With nine wins and seven losses, the Magpies have plenty of work to do to not only finish in the top four but play finals football at all, and Pendlebury says the Magpies know what they have to do.

“Just competing for four quarters, I think we can do that.

“The first and second quarters tonight we showed we’re good enough, then we just dropped off.

“We just need everyone to play well. It’s not about how many kicks or handballs you’re getting, it’s the team things that can win us the game.”