Pendlebury Makes History
The VFL/AFL record of most disposals in a career set by Robert Harvey 15 years ago has been surpassed. Going into his week 17 matchup with the Western Bulldogs Collingwood’s veteran midfielder Scott Pendlebury needed 13 disposals to surpass the St Kilda legend’s mark of 9656.
10 minutes into the third quarter with a short pass in his back half, Pendlebury reached the mark of 13 on the night and 9657 in his career. This immediately prompted a loud roar from the crowd who knew what Pendlebury had accomplished quicker than a graphic could even be displayed on the jumbotron.
By the nights end, Pendlebury had 21 disposals in the match and a new all-time mark of 9665 which is sure to grow much larger before it’s all said and done. The legendary Collingwood number 10 is still playing at a high level and signed a contract last month to return to the team next season and will be looking to surpass the 10,000 disposal mark; a goal that is very much within reach.
Although it was certainly the most significant, the AFL/VFL all-time disposal record wasn’t the only milestone reached by Pendlebury in week 17. In taking the field against the Bulldogs Pendlebury was participating in his 373rd AFL match which moved him to ninth on the all-time list of games played. With his contract already signed for next season, so long as he appears in the majority of their matches, he is set to reach the 400 match mark, something only five players have done before.
Magpies Blitz Bulldogs in Third Quarter, Win in Comeback Fashion
While the matchwas somewhat overshadowed by Pendlebury’s milestone, it was an exhilarating show in and of itself.
The ladder-leading Magpies, having lost just two games all season, found themselves in an early hole falling behind 39-17 midway through the second term. The sixth place Bulldogs who were tied at 9-6 with both Melbourne and St Kilda seemed to be powered by their desire to reach into the top four, a prospect that was very possible with a win. By halftime the gap had closed substantially to 41-36 as it appeared as though the match was set to be a nailbiter.
However, coming out of the main break the Magpies flipped a switch and on the back of young superstar Nick Daicosthey brutalized the Bulldogs to the tune of a 38-8 quarter. Daicos had two goals in the quarter to go along with 11 possessions as Collingwood ran away with the match and Daicos furthered his case as a Brownlow Medal candidate.
The Bulldogs made a run of their own in the final term but it was too little too late as Collingwood took the match 89-77 to move to 14-2 on the season.
Grand Final Odds: Magpies Lead the Way
Atop the table with their 14-2 record, Collingwood also lead the way on most betting as Grand Final favourites. Their odds are hovering around +240 to become champions, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2010. Only Pendlebury and fellow veteran Steele Sidebottom remain from that team as with new youth now injected in the squad, they are looking to bring Collingwood back to premiership glory once again.
Port Adelaide are listed by online betting pages as Collingwood’s greatest threat. They are 13-2 on the season and around +300 to win it all according to most betting sites.
Brisbane, Melbourne, and Geelong round out the top five at +500, +600, and +900 respectively.
