AFL 2026: Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury ahead of his record-breaking 433rd game

Scott Pendlebury will follow his own advice this weekend.

The Collingwood champion admits the long build-up to his record-breaking 433rd AFL match has challenged his routine.

But Pendlebury insists he will still take a moment to appreciate the occasion when he runs out in front of a packed MCG against West Coast on Saturday afternoon.

“I think one thing I have always done, I appreciate the game for what it is,” Pendlebury said on Monday.

“Every week regardless if it’s this week or not, I always take a moment to look around at the stands, find my family, try and say g’day.

“I always say to the young guys that ever play their first game, one bit of advice from me has got nothing to do with the game because you’re good enough.

“But when you get out here for the first time, look around, take a moment, just to take it all in because it’s pretty cool you’re achieving your dream.

“I still like that myself, I still feel like I’m achieving my dream every time I get to come out here.

“There will be a part where I come out here and probably look lost or whatever, but I’ll just be wandering and taking it all in.”

Collingwood has come under fire for its management of Pendlebury’s milestone.

The Magpies drew against Hawthorn and lost by a kick in the two matches they rested their star midfielder.

But Pendlebury remains comfortable with the planned timeline, saying he was a long shot to play against the Hawks regardless of his milestone.

“It’s an interesting one, we planned out at the start of the year a schedule to manage me for the whole season,” Pendlebury said.

“I’ve spoken about this before, but we’ve taken the long view of getting through the whole season. I certainly didn’t plan to have an achilles injury round 3 or 4.

“There was no chance, it was funny, I think I seen somewhere that I was moving well before the Hawthorn game.

“If you had have seen my GPS and top speed, you would probably run faster than me that day.

“I am comfortable with where it sits and I am really looking forward to Saturday.”