Collingwood have unveiled the much-discussed guernsey that will be worn by Scott Pendlebury when the AFL legend breaks the competition’s all-time games played record against West Coast next week. On Sunday, the Magpies officially confirmed widely reported plans for the 38-year-old, who is set to surpass North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey by making his 433rd appearance at the top level, to take to the field with his No.10 emblazoned in gold.
Special design features
The guernsey also features an ‘SP433’ symbol, incorporating gold and a silhouette of Pendlebury into the club’s traditional black and white colours. Pendlebury continues to perform at a high level in his 21st AFL season, having claimed the Anzac Medal in last month’s clash with Essendon after a masterful 43-disposal, two-goal performance.
Mixed reactions to the tribute
The decision to have Pendlebury appear different from his teammates on the field has drawn mixed responses. While Collingwood coach Craig McRae and Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd have backed the move, former Collingwood captain Tony Shaw expressed disapproval. “I know heaps of Collingwood people from my era who agree. To me, he deserves every accolade he can get, but I’d rather see something like a jumper designed for the occasion more than a gold number on the night,” Shaw told 3AW. “As a leader and someone who bases everything on the team, which Pendlebury does, I’m not saying he’s making it about himself, this is being forced on him.”
Collingwood’s decision to rest Pendlebury in recent games against Hawthorn and Sydney, ensuring he breaks the record in front of a home crowd at the sold-out MCG next Sunday, has also faced criticism. Channel Seven expert Kane Cornes commented on The Agenda Setters last month: “I’m not sure when at Collingwood it became about the individual and not about the team.”
