THIS IS THE BEST NEWS WE COULD HOPE FOR: The Head Coach of Collingwood Football Club Craig McRae Reviews Collingwood Superstar Scott Pendlebury Regarding AFL…..

In a season that has tested the limits of resilience, leadership, and sheer footballing genius, Collingwood Football Club’s talismanic midfielder Scott Pendlebury stands as the unbreakable heart of the Magpies. At 37 years old, entering his 20th AFL season, Pendlebury isn’t just defying Father Time—he’s rewriting the script on what it means to be a veteran in the cutthroat world of elite Australian Rules Football. And now, with the trade period in full swing and the sting of a preliminary final exit still fresh, head coach Craig McRae has delivered the verdict every black-and-white faithful has been craving: Pendlebury is locked in for 2026, his passion undimmed and his role more vital than ever.

“This is the best news we could hope for,” McRae beamed during a candid press conference at the AIA Centre this week, his trademark intensity softened by a rare grin. “Scott’s not just a player; he’s the pulse of this footy club. His review? Straight As across the board. Leadership, skill, that indefinable ‘Pendles factor’—he’s elevating everyone around him. We’re building around him, not despite him.”

### A Season of Milestones and Mayhem

Pendlebury’s 2025 campaign was a masterclass in managed brilliance, a delicate dance between pushing boundaries and preserving longevity. From the opening round against Port Adelaide, where McRae innovatively named the veteran as the substitute for the first time in his 405-game career (a tactical masterstroke to ease him through three consecutive six-day turnarounds), Pendlebury proved he’s far from fading. He racked up 30 disposals and six clearances in a vintage performance against the Power, silencing early doubters who whispered about the toll of 424 career games.

The milestones kept coming. In Round 3 against Carlton, Pendlebury leveled Shaun Burgoyne’s games tally at 407, cementing his place among AFL immortals. By finals time, he etched his name deeper into history, surpassing Gordon Coventry’s 88-year-old record for most finals appearances with 32—a feat that drew level with Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and left only Joel Selwood ahead. And through it all, his on-field IQ was surgical: averaging 28 disposals, leading the club’s clearance tally, and mentoring young guns like Nick Daicos with the poise of a second coach.

Yet, 2025 wasn’t without heartbreak. A calf tightness in the preliminary final against Brisbane forced an early sub-out, rippling through Collingwood’s midfield and contributing to a narrow loss. McRae was quick to defend his star: “Losing Pendles wasn’t just about numbers; it was the leadership void. He tags the opposition’s best, wins the hard ball, and lifts the group. That’s irreplaceable.”

Off the field, Pendlebury’s influence shone brighter. McRae has long marveled at his captain’s ability to act as an unofficial coach, breaking down game tape with rookies and instilling the club’s “Do It For Each Other” ethos. “It’s remarkable,” McRae said earlier this year. “Scott’s like another coach on the ground—reading the play, communicating, inspiring. He’s the reason our culture thrives.”

### The Performance Review: No Gaps, Just Greatness

Pendlebury’s end-of-season review with McRae wasn’t a formality; it was a celebration. Sources close to the club reveal the 37-year-old dissected his own game with forensic detail—identifying minor tweaks to his contested possession work and ruck support—while outlining his vision for mentoring the next wave. McRae, fresh off a bold trade strategy that netted talents like Dan Houston and Tim Membrey, was unequivocal: Pendlebury’s contract extension is a cornerstone of Collingwood’s premiership push.

“He’s signing on for one more,” McRae confirmed, quashing months of speculation. “Scott wants to chase that third flag, and we’ll manage him smarter than ever—more sub starts, targeted rotations. But make no mistake: when he’s on, he’s the best in the comp.” This comes amid whispers of aggressive list moves, with Collingwood eyeing midfield reinforcements like Clayton Oliver to complement, not replace, the ageing core of Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, and Tom Mitchell.

For fans, it’s vindication. Pendlebury’s journey—from 2006 draftee to two-time premiership captain, five-time Copeland Trophy winner—has been Collingwood’s defining narrative. His 2025 stats? Elite: 75% disposal efficiency, top-five in the league for centre-bounce attendances, and a tackling ferocity that belies his mileage. As one X user quipped after a gritty win: “Pendles at 37 is what legends are made of—Craig McRae’s got a gem.”

### Why This News Reignites Hope

In a league where veterans are often traded for picks, McRae’s ringing endorsement is revolutionary. Collingwood, the AFL’s oldest list at an average age of 28.7, leaned into experience to storm finals—beating Adelaide in a qualifying thriller despite crowd boos aimed at stars like Isaac Quaynor. Pendlebury’s retention signals continuity: a bridge between the Daicos-Hill generation and the grizzled warriors who won in 2010 and 2023.

“We’re not standing still,” McRae vowed post-prelim. “Players over picks, balanced with youth. But Scott? He’s the constant.” As the Pies eye a 2026 tilt, this review isn’t just good news—it’s the spark for another dynasty.

For Collingwood supporters, it’s simple: Pendlebury endures, so does the dream. Roll on next season.