AFL News

A look at the record books: Scott Pendlebury edition

We all know Scott Pendlebury has achieved just about everything, but some of these may raise some eyebrows.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

He holds the record for the most V/AFL disposals. The most handballs. The most tackles. The most uncontested possessions.

He's a six-time All-Australian. Five-time Copeland Trophy winner. Two-time premiership player. Norm Smith medallist. Captain. And yet, the incredible feats are still coming.

On the eve of his 400th game - an achievement only five have reached before him - Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury is covered in glory, and rightly so.

2024-08-03T09:30:00Z

The kid with the "basketball background" has been a consistent figure, both on and off the field, for nearly 19 seasons of AFL football, with confirmation that there will be a 20th.

As a result, and through a sheer weight of numbers, Pendlebury's name is littered through all sorts of records in the history books of Australian Rules Football.

He will become the sixth man to reach 400 games, with some saying there's a possibility of toppling North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey's record of 432.

He's remarkably outlasted all of his 2005 National Draft counterparts and is still performing at an elite level at the ripe age of 36.

So let's attempt to look through Pendlebury's career and all that he has achieved (so far).

Scott Pendlebury records

  • 2x AFL premiership player (2010, 2023)
  • Norm Smith medallist (2010)
  • 3x ANZAC Day medals (2010, 2011, 2019)
  • Collingwood captain (2014-2022; 206 games); 2x AFLPA best captain (2020, 2022)
  • 6x All-Australian (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019; 5x in AA squad)
  • 5x Copeland Trophy winner (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
  • AFLCA player of the year (2013)
  • Leads the V/AFL for most disposals, tackles, handballs and uncontested possessions
  • 11th in all-time kicks; 5th in all-time inside 50s; 5th in all-time clearances; 13th in all-time clangers; 2nd in contested possessions; 2nd in goal assists
  • 6th in all-time wins; 21st in longest careers; 5th in most finals played; 4th in most finals series; 3rd in most times with teammates (Steele Sidebottom)
  • 167 teammates
  • ONLY player to bounce a football on a pigeon
  • And soon-to-be 400 games

And with 2025 locked in for another year on the park, it's safe to say some of these standings will change.

Published by
Aidan Cellini