Scott Pendlebury
| Scott Pendlebury | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Scott Pendelbury Vs Carlton.jpg | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Scott Pendlebury | ||
| Original team(s) | Sale / Gippsland U18 | ||
| Height / weight | 190cm / 88kg | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Collingwood | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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AFL
Collingwood Football Club
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| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Scott Pendlebury (born 7 January 1988) is an Australian rules footballer who plays in the Australian Football League for the Collingwood Football Club.
Career
Pre-AFL
Originally from Sale, Pendlebury began his sporting career in basketball and accepted a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. However, he decided to make a return to competitive football and was selected for the 2005 Under-18 Vic Country team. He played two of the three games, and amassed an average of 17 possessions.
He was selected to play for eventual 2005 TAC Cup premiers Gippsland Power. He played 19 games, kicked 11 goals and averaged 22 possessions a game.[1] The Collingwood Magpies came across Pendlebury after Gippsland Power manager Peter Francis recommended both Pendlebury and his older brother Kristopher.[2] Collingwood drafted Pendlebury with pick five in the 2005 AFL Draft, and Collingwood's number two pick overall.
Pendlebury has been described as possessing exceptional class and poise. He is a natural left-footer, and rarely wastes a possession, and has excellent vision that has been attributed to his years in basketball.[3] He has also been likened to St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo, with his balance and agility in packs making him almost impossible to tackle.
2006
Pendlebury's 2006 pre-season was hampered by glandular fever, but he made a successful comeback with Collingwood's VFL affiliation in Williamstown. He made his AFL debut in Round 10 against the Brisbane Lions, and became part of a select group of footballers known for kicking their first goal with their first kick in league football. He played eight more promising games, including a spectacular basketball-esque 'steal' from former Sydney player Paul Williams.
2007
Pendlebury began his 2007 season by moving to the number 10 guernsey, previously worn by Blake Caracella, and giving his number 16 guernsey to newcomer Nathan Brown. Following his nine games in 2006, Pendlebury broke into the Collingwood midfield ona regular basis, averaging 18 disposals a game before he was nominated for the NAB Rising Star in Round 4. He became one of Collingwood's most well-known players and one of their best midfielders. He collected a season-high 26 possessions in the 2007 Semi-Final against the West Coast Eagles in Perth, as well as kicking a crucial goal during extra time.
Throughout the 2007 season, he was compared with Geelong rookie midfielder Joel Selwood. Both were close favourites for the 2007 NAB Rising Star, with Selwood eventually claiming the honour over Pendlebury by seven votes.[4]
Pendlebury suffered an ankle injury in the opening minutes of Collingwood's Round 17 loss against Brisbane. However, he managed to return after only two weeks.
Pendlebury also placed second in the 2007 Copeland Trophy behind Travis Cloke. This was acknowledged as a superior feat, considering he had missed two games in the season.
2008
Pendlebury was voted into Collingwood's five-man leadership group as deputy vice-captain preceding the 2008 season. He was also named in Mike Sheehan's Top 50 AFL Players at #42.
Highlights of Pendlebury's season thus far include amassing 33 disposals against Essendon on ANZAC Day and placing a close second behind Paul Medhurst for the Anzac Day medal.
On May 9 2008, Pendlebury was selected in the Victorian Squad for the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match, with team-mates Josh Fraser and Heath Shaw. Despite playing only half of the match, he collected 19 disposals with a 79% efficiency rating. He later stated that, "It was a very special time ... just to meet the players, and be amongst them ... just being out there and playing a half decent game gives me confidence."[5]
Pendlebury was an important factor in Collingwood's 86-point victory over reigning premiers Geelong. His early tackle and subsequent free kick on Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett was merely the beginning of Collingwood's intense tackling pressure throughout the game, and he later stated that, "our tackling pressure was what we were renowned for last year, and I think it was the first time we've shown it this year."[6]
Pendlebury played his 50th game on August 9, 2008 against St Kilda in Round 19. He finished third in Collingwood's 2008 Best and Fairest count.
2009
Pendlebury became more prominent in 2009. He collected a career high 39 disposals again Melbourne Football Club on the Queens Birthday and won the Womens Round medal. He made a career high 22 kicks against the West Coast Eagles and another career high 20 handballs against thet Richmond Football Club. He is regarded as Dane Swan's main challenger for Collingwood's best and fairest award. Despite missing a few games due to injuries, he was still shortlisted for selection as an All-Australian and has been nominated as Collingwood's third best player. He had an average of 26 disposals a game (13 kicks and 13 handballs)and averaged 2 goals per 5 games. He is considered to be one of the best midfielders in the Collingwood side. His season ended with an cracked fibula bone injury in the Qualifying final.
Pendlebury polled 13 votes in the 2009 Brownlow Medal, the top ranked Collingwood player.
Media work
In 2008, Pendlebury began writing his own column for the Collingwood Magpies website, entitled "Pendle's Prose". This operates on a fortnightly basis, with Heath Shaw's "Heath's Headline" appearing every other week.[citation needed] Pendlebury has discussed issues such as application of physical and mental strength, regaining confidence after a loss, the traditional ANZAC Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon, and overcoming new challenges.
Personal life
Pendlebury comes from the town Sale in Gippsland, where he attended Catholic College Sale. Scott, Dale Thomas Tyson Goldsack and Brent Macaffer all played for Gippsland Power before getting drafted to Collingwood. Pendlebury's older brother Kris plays for Collingwood's VFL affiliation team as a rookie-listed player, and previously played for Essendon's VFL affiliation Bendigo Bombers.
References
- ^ Footy Draft (November 2005). "Mock AFL Draft 2005".
- ^ Bruce Matthews (21 September 2007). "Scott Pendlebury a bargain from Sale to Collingwood".
- ^ Collingwood Football Club. "Player Profile".
- ^ NAB. "Joel Selwood wins the NAB AFL Rising Star Award".
- ^ CTV (12 May 2008). "Pendles, Leo lap up Tribute Match".
- ^ Grandstand Radio (23 May 2008). "Cats tamed by defensive heroics, says Magpies".
External links
- Scott Pendlebury profile on the Official AFL Website of the Collingwood Football Club
- Scott Pendlebury's playing statistics from AFL Tables
