Collingwood coach Craig McRae has publicly acknowledged for the first time that club legend Scott Pendlebury may not pull on a Magpies jumper again, describing the decorated midfielder's future as "just 50-50" as the 38-year-old recovers from a hamstring strain and awaits a contract offer that has not yet materialised.
Pendlebury — the AFL's all-time games record holder — was ruled out of Friday night's wildcard clash against the Western Bulldogs after suffering the hamstring injury against Brisbane last Saturday. With his contract expired and no new deal on the table, there is a genuine chance that match against the Lions was his last appearance in black and white.
McRae breaks silence on Pendlebury's future
In a candid interview, McRae said he has held multiple conversations with Pendlebury since the injury and indicated the veteran is weighing his options carefully — including the possibility of continuing his career at another club.
"It's probably just 50-50 to be honest. I can see opportunities for him to play on, and retire. I am sure he is weighing a lot of those things," McRae said.
The Collingwood coach pushed back against suggestions the decision rests entirely with Pendlebury, but made clear the player's own assessment of his body and ability to perform would be central to any outcome.
"No, not entirely, but mostly led by conversations with him, we're an open dialogue around that. I'm giving him some space as he's requested, and he'll make the decision at the end of the year," McRae said.
The club has made its position clear: Pendlebury must be confident he can still perform at the required level before any deal is struck. McRae stressed that the threshold is self-determined as much as it is club-imposed.
"It's up to him in terms of whether he thinks he's fit and viable to be able to perform at a level that is at that level. Only he knows it. He knows his body better than anyone else," he said.
McRae also addressed recent public commentary — including remarks from AFL great Leigh Matthews — suggesting clubs should not leave such decisions entirely in a player's hands. The Collingwood coach said years of frank discussions with Pendlebury gave him confidence the dual premiership player would act in the club's best interests.
"Having this conversation with Pendles the last four or five years around what's best for him and what's best for us, gives me great comfort that he'll do what is best for the footy club," McRae said, firmly denying any tension between Pendlebury, his management at Hemisphere Sports, and the club. "Not one bit of friction — open dialogue, many conversations, great respect, and huge loyalty to him."
Gold Coast and Essendon have been linked with Pendlebury, with reports suggesting he could take on a hybrid playing and assistant coaching role at either club should he decide to leave Collingwood after 21 seasons.
Butters snub a lesson for the Magpies
Collingwood's recruitment ambitions have taken a blow after Port Adelaide midfielder Zak Butters informed club officials at his exit meeting that he intends to exercise his restricted free agency rights and move to a Victorian club. Industry sources are convinced Butters has set his sights on Geelong, with the Western Bulldogs and Richmond also understood to have registered strong interest.
McRae indicated the Butters situation carries a broader lesson for how Collingwood positions itself in the free agency market going forward.
Other recruitment targets remain in play
Despite missing out on Butters, the Magpies are still active in the trade period. The club remains in the market for Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and has also been linked to Jake Stringer, who is seeking a fourth AFL club after departing Greater Western Sydney.
Whether Pendlebury features in Collingwood's on-field plans next year — or adds to that list of departures — is a question that, for now, remains genuinely unanswered. Much like the future of other celebrated athletes navigating the end of long careers, the coming weeks will prove decisive.
