Collingwood coach Craig McRae is comfortable in his club's decision to rest veteran Scott Pendlebury for a second time in three weeks ahead of his games record milestone.
The Pies have been criticised for resting their gun midfielder in matches against Hawthorn (draw) and last night's fixture against Sydney (six-point loss).
AFL legend and 1990 premiership-winning coach at Collingwood Leigh Matthews said on Saturday he disagreed with the club's decision to rest Pendlebury in big matches.
"OK, he is going to play the record-breaking game, it's a big event, yet we're going to make sure it's at the MCG at the expense of potentially getting the four points and your finals chances might be won or lost by a win or a loss," Matthews said on 3AW.
"So it does seem a little bit over the top to me at the moment in terms of the romance overwhelming the practical aspect of trying to win as many games to play finals."
However, McRae said it was a simple decision for the Magpies hierarchy to not play Pendlebury and keep him fit for next weekend's clash at the MCG against West Coast, where he will play a V/AFL record 433rd game.
"Well, do you want to celebrate the record for the most games in the history of the game here tonight, or would you rather do it next week at the MCG?" McRae said during Friday night's post-game press conference.
"That's a simple question, and, respectfully, when 'Pendles' has played that many games, we want to make sure we celebrate him in the right manner.
"His body isn't as bulletproof as you think he is. Five- and six-day breaks, all the data says he is just getting to the line, and we are looking after him. And we will celebrate him appropriately."
Collingwood's fifth loss of the season means it sits just inside the wild card section of the ladder in 10th spot with the likes of St Kilda and GWS likely to leapfrog the Pies this round.
Former Port Adelaide midfielder turned football pundit Kane Cornes was strong in his criticism of the Pies' decision to rest Pendlebury in two must-win games.
"If Pendlebury plays tonight and against Hawthorn, that's two extra wins," Cornes said on AFL.com.au's First up.
"They have given up on their season as a result.
"Collingwood gave up on their season, and their season was done when they opted to put Scott Pendlebury in Anzac Day, and that's the reality of it when you put the individual in front of the team, and you played him 98 per cent in that last quarter so that he could get 43 (disposals) and win the medal and then rest the next weekend against Hawthorn.
"Then you play him, then you rest, even though they are such crucial games in that three-week window where you prioritise breaking the record."
