Scott Pendlebury nears retirement, Kane Cornes, Collingwood 0-3 start
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As the saying goes, you can’t stop Father Time.
And that saying may be a harsh reality check for Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury, according to Kane Cornes.
It comes after the Pies suffered their third consecutive loss to open their premiership defence, going to down St Kilda by 15 points on Thursday night at the MCG.
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It is the first time in the 21st century the Pies have started their season 0-3.
Now the attention has turned to Collingwood’s veterans, namely Pendlebury, who is 36 years old, could reach the 400-game milestone in 2024.
Cornes has called for the Pies to rethink Pendlebury’s spot, as they attempt to recoup after their horro start to 2024.
“At some point Pendlebury is going to be finished. He looks finished to me,” Cornes said on SEN Radio on Friday.
“I think the first sign your time is coming to an end is if you go to ground a lot, if you’re not prepared to take contact and you look for cheap free kicks.
“I’m seeing that with Scott at the moment.”
However, Pendlebury has still managed to collect disposals across his three opening matches.
In Opening Round, he had 18 touches, in round one he collected 26 and on Thursday night, Pendlebury had 20.
Cornes didn’t just single out the two-time premiership veteran, however.
He also called on Pies coach Craig McRae to analyse his other players, most namely Nick Daicos, who has been struggling to find his confidence that saw him soar in 2023.
“Nick Daicos was timid … I know that’s a criticism he probably hasn’t copped much through 50 games and it’s really tough to single him out, because he’s been as consistent as anyone,” Cornes said.
“But he was timid in the contest. He missed tackles, he fumbled and he was jumpy.
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“Jordan De Goey is jumpy. Steele Sidebottom goes back with one hand instead of putting his full body there and costs them a goal.”
Collingwood will now face Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night in the 2023 grand final rematch.
Both sides enter the game winless.
