‘I would not have done it’: McRae’s Pendlebury gamble splits footy world as season teeters
Collingwood's decision to rest Scott Pendlebury has sparked debate after the team's narrow loss to Sydney, with the club prioritizing his upcoming games record celebration at the MCG over immediate finals chances. Coach Craig McRae defended the move as necessary for player management and appropriate recognition of Pendlebury's career. However, four-time premiership coach Leigh Matthews criticized the decision, saying it prioritizes sentiment over winning crucial matches.
- ▪Collingwood is in 10th position on the AFL ladder with a 4-5 win-loss record after a six-point loss to Sydney.
- ▪Scott Pendlebury is set to break the AFL games record, which the club plans to celebrate at the MCG against West Coast next Saturday.
- ▪Leigh Matthews criticized Collingwood's decision to rest Pendlebury, arguing it puts romance ahead of practicality in a tight finals race.
- ▪Craig McRae defended the player management strategy, citing Pendlebury's physical condition and the importance of celebrating his milestone appropriately.
- ▪The decision reflects a broader trend among clubs like Collingwood and Geelong to take a long-term approach to managing veteran players.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.