Collingwood legend to join Gold Coast Suns as player-coach for final AFL season
Updated ,first published
Collingwood great Scott Pendlebury’s transition into coaching will begin next season when he joins the Gold Coast Suns, with the Magpies legend having played his last game for the club.
Pendlebury’s manager Anthony Panozzo, of Hemisphere Sports, confirmed to this masthead on Saturday that the sport’s games record holder (442) will take to the field for the Suns next season, while also being a quasi assistant coach.
But from 2028 he will fully transition into coaching, although the length of that contract has yet to be determined.
Pendlebury’s decision came just hours after the Magpies lost a heartbreaking wildcard clash against the Western Bulldogs when forward Tim Membrey missed a set shot to win after the final siren.
Pendlebury, 38, did not play the game because of injury, the second time in as many seasons his campaign was ended by soft-tissue complaints. This one deprived Collingwood fans the chance to farewell their champion on Friday night. He was at the top of the Pies’ half of the guard of honour given by the two clubs to honour the retiring Steele Sidebottom.
There were sombre scenes in the rooms as he hugged well-wishers minutes after leaving the field.
“He will be playing on for the Gold Coast, an on-field assistant, that type of role, and then transition into coaching,” Panozzo said.
“It’s the next chapter of his journey. Collingwood have been unbelievable and have been super supportive to Scott around Scott’s decision.
“But, at the same time, unfortunately things go their way last night, but at the same time he is really excited for him and his family and the kids for what’s next.”
Panozzo said Pendlebury’s wife Alex and family would make the move north with the dual premiership great.
Pendlebury is widely regarded as a future senior coach, and knows he needs to experience life outside of Collingwood where he has plied his trade since being drafted in 2005.
As reported by this masthead, Pendlebury had been linked to the Suns, while Essendon had also emerged as an option, as the Bombers rebuild under new coach Mark McVeigh.
He and his management did not get to the point of asking about a contract with the Magpies next season. Rather, discussions had been more about the next footballing phase for Pendlebury.
The Suns finished 13th with nine wins this season and were arguably the competition’s most disappointing side, having made finals for the first time last year.
Pendlebury will initially join a blue-chip midfield comprising Christian Petracca, Matt Rowell and skipper Noah Anderson, imparting his wisdom on how the team led by coach Damien Hardwick can become a major force.
While a three-time premiership coach with Richmond, Hardwick repeatedly had to endure questions about the Suns’ culture this season.
“He [Pendlebury] is looking forward to supporting their young and developing list,” Panozzo said.
Pendlebury’s departure adds to the winds of change at the Magpies, for fellow veteran premiership star Steele Sidebottom played his 375th – and final – game against the Bulldogs.
Coach Craig McRae said on Friday night he expected the Magpies to be aggressive through the trade and free agency period, as the club has considerable room in the salary cap.
“I think those that sit on the outside would judge our list heavily, but we had most of our leaders out tonight. So we’ve got players in our building that make us better already; there’s a level of comfort in that, that we’ve got [Harry] Perryman, [Brayden] Maynard, Darcy Moore, Jamie Elliott to name a few that didn’t even play. Everyone would love your best team, but you don’t get that,” McRae said.
“I think we’re just in the business of getting better and at what level? I’m not sure, but we’ll be pushing hard. We put ourselves in a position to have a salary cap for the first time that’s got a healthy bank balance for want of a better term.
“We’re in the business of improving ourselves. So now the season’s finished, we’ll probably get a bit deeper into those things.”
The Magpies were contacted for comment.
More to come
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Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.