Tony Shaw Criticizes Collingwood’s Celebration of Scott Pendlebury’s Record
Former Collingwood captain Tony Shaw has expressed his disappointment with the club’s approach to celebrating Scott Pendlebury’s upcoming record-breaking 433rd game. The 38-year-old player is set to surpass North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey as the player with the most V/AFL games in history, a milestone that has sparked some controversy within the football community.
Pendlebury will be the first Collingwood player to wear a golden number on his jersey during the celebration of this achievement. This decision was approved by the AFL, allowing him to wear a special jumper for the occasion. In contrast, when Harvey broke the previous record, all North Melbourne players wore jerseys with the number 427, representing the old record.
The Magpies have also planned for Pendlebury to miss their match against Hawthorn and the upcoming clash with Sydney, so he can break the record at the MCG against West Coast. This strategic move ensures that the milestone occurs in front of Collingwood fans.
Shaw, who once held the club’s record for the most V/AFL games played with 313, believes that the gold number places too much emphasis on the individual rather than the team. He argues that while Pendlebury deserves all the accolades, a more team-focused approach would be preferable.
“I don’t like it. I know heaps of Collingwood people from my era who agree. To me, he deserves every accolade he can get, but I’d rather see something like a jumper designed for the occasion more than a gold number on the night,” Shaw told 3AW.
He added:
“It’s a team game. I broke the club record. I wouldn’t have wanted (something like that). As a leader and someone who bases everything on the team, which Pendlebury does, I’m not saying he’s making it about himself, this is being forced on him.
“I’d be quite surprised if he would be comfortable with it.
“I don’t like it. I’ve had heaps of people say to me they don’t like it.
“A gold number that says you’re different to everyone out on that field, I feel uncomfortable with it. It’s only an opinion.
“He deserves every accolade. A lot of my friends, ex players and whatever, who are good football people have said the same thing.
“There’s an awkwardness about it.”
However, not everyone shares Shaw’s view. Richmond champion Matthew Richardson disagreed, calling Shaw “an old timer.”
“It’s a team game, but this is an individual achievement within it that might never be broken. I have no issue with it,” Richardson said.
Pendlebury has already made a mark in the season, winning the Anzac Day medal and breaking his own disposal record in a recent match, finishing with 43 touches. He then missed the Hawks game after a five-day break.
The midfield superstar was originally taken by the Magpies with pick five in the 2005 AFL draft. Among the other top picks from that year, Carlton’s Marc Murphy retired five years ago, while West Coast star Shannon Hurn continued playing until the end of 2023. This highlights Pendlebury’s remarkable longevity, as he remains a dominant force in the competition three years later.
Only a few players from the 2006 and 2007 drafts remain in the league, emphasizing the significance of Pendlebury’s career. His achievements continue to inspire and spark debate among fans and former players alike.
