Although Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury says he is not aiming to break Brent Harvey’s record of 432 games played, he will not rule out playing beyond it. After confirming earlier in the week that he was close to signing a contract to play in the upcoming season, Pendlebury stated he would try to continue playing for as long as he continued to enjoy himself. The league’s “400 Club”—Brent Harvey (432 games), Michael Tuck (426), Shaun Burgoyne (407), and Dustin Fletcher (408), joined the star midfielder at Olympic Park on Wednesday. Richmond icon Kevin Bartlett (403), who underwent face surgery on Tuesday, was not available.
Pendlebury said he was not actively seeking breaking Harvey’s record, even though he did not rule out doing so after joining the five greats on Saturday night against Carlton. “No, it’s not at all… Playing this game for as long as I can because I enjoy it and I’m still motivated is what motivates me,” he remarked. It’s possible that I was attempting to come up with an explanation for my perseverance, but I believe it just stems from my competitive nature.
My goal in whatever I do is to succeed. I enjoy competing, I love coming out onto the MCG every week and trying to compete, and I love that feeling when the siren goes. I’ll use the rule book to my advantage if I have to.I know it’s time to give it away when that feeling fades and I start to get bored with it, even if my body fails me in the interim. For now, though, I still have that passion.” Pendlebury admitted that Collingwood’s 2022 comeback, led by Craig McRae, had helped to preserve “the fire in the belly” that motivated him.
These past few years have been incredibly enjoyable. Everybody who has followed us has witnessed that. It’s a fantastic location to visit,” he remarked. All that matters is if I’m still driven to compete and making a positive impact on the team. “I didn’t set out to play 400 games; instead, I just wanted to play as long as I could. I’ll enjoy this 400 and not worry too much about trying to set a record or anything like that.”
Regarding whether he had invented any recovery methods, he remained reticent after McRae had praised his amazing ability to either play through or swiftly recover from injuries.It’s been challenging to manipulate your body to play despite ailments,” he remarked. “You need to try to get back in the fight, strap it up, and get back out there. You might have suffered a medial ligament injury or be recovering from a broken leg sustained two weeks prior. “I think the reason I’ve done it or tried to do it is because I love being part of the team, even though those challenges are really tough.” In response to enquiries regarding his post-playing career, the former Magpies captain was consistently eager to defer to focus right in front of him.
What I want to do is become a coach. I believe I’ve already sort of released it into the world. When the moment is appropriate, I want to do that,” he declared. But as far as the future goes, I have Saturday, and I think it will be a big game. “I am eager to go out there and try to win a game for this football team with all of my teammates, friends, and family in the stands and do what I love.”