Pendlebury Equals 432-Game Mark in Collingwood Game
Scott Pendlebury will line up for his 432nd AFL match in the Collingwood game against Geelong on Saturday night at the MCG, and that appearance will equal Brent Harvey’s record for most VFL/AFL games played. Collingwood also brought Jeremy Howe and Beau McCreery back into the senior team for Round 9.
Pendlebury and Howe return
Pendlebury and Howe were managed for last week’s draw with Hawthorn, so their return gives Collingwood two experienced options back for a match that carries more than ordinary selection interest. McCreery comes in after recovering from general soreness, which adds another inclusion to a side that had to adjust after the Hawthorn game.
Wil Parker and Will Hayes were omitted from the team that took the field last week. Hayes, Ed Allan and Charlie West were named as emergencies for Saturday night, leaving Collingwood with depth around the selection table even after the three inclusions were announced.
Perryman misses Geelong
Harry Perryman will miss the clash through a moderate-grade hamstring injury sustained in Round 8 against the Hawks. He started a rehabilitation program this week with the aim to return to play in four to five weeks.
That leaves Collingwood without one defender for a game that now carries added weight because of Pendlebury’s milestone. The club can still move forward with a reshaped senior side, but Perryman’s absence cuts into the backline options while the veteran midfielder prepares to match Harvey’s mark.
Lipinski's 150th AFL game
Patrick Lipinski was also selected for his 150th AFL game. He played 56 games with the Western Bulldogs between 2017 and 2021 and has added 93 games in black and white, reaching a total that now lands him at the same roundtable as one of Collingwood’s bigger selection stories.
Saturday night at the MCG now brings two clear markers for the Magpies: Pendlebury’s record-equalling appearance and Lipinski’s 150th game. For supporters tracking the side’s shape ahead of Round 9, the list tells them who is back, who is out, and which milestones arrive with Geelong on the schedule.
