He Should go we have someone better than him: Collingwood head coach Craig McRae announce departure of a star player

Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury has announced he will play next year for the Magpies only a week after coach Craig McRae said he would be speaking to the veterans over their future at the club. The Magpies secured a vital win on the weekend having defeated last-placed Richmond to keep their chances of playing AFL finals footy alive.

Last week, McRae admitted he was in ongoing discussions with the veterans with some tough calls needed if Collingwood wunable to secure finals footy in 2024. Howeerever, to add to the victory on the weekend, Pendlebury has announced he will remain at the club in 2025 with a new deal.rtain at the club.

Next year, if the squad remains the same, Collingwood will enter the season with 11 players over the age of 30. After a season that could see them miss out on finals footy, questions could be asked of dual premiership heroes Pendlebury (37 next January) and Sidebottom (34 next January).

Last week, McRae admitted he was in ongoing discussions with the veterans with some tough calls needed if Collingwood were unable to secure finals footy. However, to add to the victory on the weekend, Pendlebury has announced he will remain at the club in 2025 with a new deal.

“To be honest, I just want to get through 400 and try and get a win…I’ve got a contract for next year, so it’ll depend on my form and how the team is going,” Pendlebury said on SEN Radio. “’Fly’ has been really good with me and the conversations we have are ongoing about where he sees me and where I see myself.”

When pressed on the contract, Pendlebury added: “Yeah, it’s all done. “I think there’s just a few final little details. But yeah it’s all locked away, so looking forward to playing next year.”

Pendlebury will have the opportunity to become the first Collingwood star to reach 400 VFL/AFL games this Saturday against Carlton. He also has the opportunity to surpass Brent Harvey as the most capped player in history if he plays beyond next year.