Collingwood icon Scott Pendlebury has achieved a monumental milestone, reaching his 10,000th career disposal in front of a packed MCG crowd during the traditional Anzac Day clash against Essendon. Pendlebury, who began the day just four touches shy of the milestone, achieved it in the first quarter with a crucial handball in defense, earning warm applause from the spectators.
Remarkably, Pendlebury’s 10,000 disposals comprise 5,003 handballs and 4,997 kicks, showcasing his versatility and enduring influence on the game. This achievement adds to his legacy as one of the most prolific ball-winners in VFL/AFL history, surpassing the previous record held by St Kilda legend Robert Harvey.
Despite coming close to the milestone in recent games, Pendlebury’s achievement was delayed as he was substituted out of matches against Hawthorn and Port Adelaide. This Anzac Day clash marks his 390th game since debuting in 2006.
Looking ahead, Pendlebury’s illustrious career could see him join an elite group of players to reach the 400-game milestone, with only five men having achieved this feat previously. With Pendlebury’s consistent performances and if he remains injury-free, he could potentially reach this milestone by the end of the season, placing him among the likes of Dustin Fletcher, Kevin Bartlett, and Shaun Burgoyne. Further milestones beckon, with Pendlebury poised to etch his name even deeper into AFL history.
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