'Every player starts to fade': Grim Pies reality exposed

AFL icon Leigh Matthews has put the blowtorch on Collingwood’s older brigade as the Magpies scramble to correct an 0-3 start to their premiership defence.

A shock 15-point loss to St Kilda on Friday followed defeats at the hands of the Giants and Swans.

The club’s roster has nine players aged in their 30s.

Their long-time midfield general Scott Pendlebury is 36 and on the verge of reaching the ultra rare 400-game milestone.

He is joined by Steele Sidebottom (33), Jeremy Howe (33), Mason Cox (33), Brody Miochek (31), Jamie Elliott (31), Tom Mitchell (30), Jack Crisp (30), and Will Hoskin-Elliott (30) in the Dad’s Army category.

Matthews fears some – including Pendlebury – are suddenly showing their age after leading the team to grand final glory only six months ago.

“We know they’re playing poorly – their fundamentals… it is a ball sport, you’ve got to be able to handle the ball cleanly, not fumble, keep possession under pressure” Matthews told Nine’s Footy Furnace on Sunday.

“They are making too many mistakes, kicking themselves in the foot a bit and therefore the opposition are finding a way to finish on top of them.