Collingwood will contest Scott Pendlebury’s one-match suspension on the AFL tribunal, because the veteran midfielder faces a ban for the primary time in his 427-match profession.
Pendlebury was charged with tough conduct following an incident involving Adelaide’s Josh Worrell through the Crows’ 14-point win on the MCG on Saturday evening.
The 38-year-old has by no means been suspended throughout 21 seasons within the AFL however might be pressured to take a seat out the Magpies’ match with GWS at Docklands after their round-two bye.
“I’ve performed 427 video games. I’ve by no means been to the tribunal, so I do not know the way it works,” Pendlebury advised Triple M.
“There’s a good character clause. And I braced … I used to be our go-to play off the again of the competition and I did not realise we [he and Worrell] had hit. I took off.”
Pendlebury is poised to interrupt North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey’s AFL/VFL document of 432 matches this season.
His bid to make use of his clear document in his tribunal listening to comes after the AFL modified its guidelines round character references in 2024.
Brisbane Lions ahead Charlie Cameron famously used the so-called “good bloke clause” to have a one-match ban overturned, and the loophole was closed the next season.
Below present AFL guidelines, Pendlebury might argue for a wonderful as a substitute of suspension underneath “distinctive and compelling circumstances”.
His solely earlier match evaluation cost got here when he was fined for a punch to Lions star Lachie Neale’s abdomen in 2024.
Gulden on the sidelines
Sydney Swans star Errol Gulden will bear surgical procedure on his injured proper shoulder and is predicted to be sidelined for about 4 months.
The Swans have made an unbeaten begin to the season, having recorded convincing wins over Carlton and reigning premiers Brisbane.
However accidents to Gulden and fellow star Isaac Heeney (hamstring) within the remaining quarter on Saturday evening soured the Swans’ 44-point thumping of the Lions on the SCG.
On Monday, the Swans issued a short assertion confirming two-time All-Australian midfielder Gulden will bear surgical procedure later this week.
“He’s anticipated to be unavailable for roughly 4 months of soccer,” the Swans’ assertion learn.
A return in late July would go away Gulden with about one month to organize for a finals collection, if the Swans are nonetheless within the combine.
Marshall backs ruck partnership
Rowan Marshall is adamant his ruck partnership with Tom De Koning will blossom, as St Kilda makes an attempt to reverse a winless begin to the season.
De Koning was lured to the Saints as a restricted free agent from Carlton on an enormous eight-year deal value about $1.7 million per 12 months.
Tom De Koning (proper) was a significant low season signing for the Saints. (Getty Pictures/AFL Photographs: James Wiltshire)
It forged doubt over Marshall’s position at St Kilda and he promptly requested a commerce to Geelong.
However the transfer was denied and Marshall returned to Moorabbin, the place he insists there was no awkwardness across the low season dealings.
Marshall has spent elevated time engaged on his ahead craft in preparation for splitting ruck time with De Koning.
He sat out the 13-point loss to Melbourne on Sunday due to a concussion, however is hopeful of returning in opposition to GWS this Saturday.
“It is nonetheless a piece in progress, however we’re actually assured with the strides we made all through the preseason,” Marshall mentioned of the De Koning partnership.
“It is one thing I am actually assured will work.”
AAP
