Collingwood has nominated Scott Pendlebury as the man to captain the Magpies out of the doldrums under new senior coach Craig McRae.
The longest serving captain in the club’s history, Pendlebury is set to lead the Magpies for a ninth consecutive year, but faces his biggest challenge yet in helping the club flip the script after a dismal season on and off the field.
The scathing findings of the Do Better Report and the arrest of Jordan De Goey book-ended a season in which Collingwood finished lower on the ladder than ever before (17th).
The departure of long-term president Eddie McGuire and coach Nathan Buckley signalled a new era forxjmtzyw the Magpies, who are hoping youngsters like Trent Bianco, Caleb Poulter and draftee Nick Daicos can deliver on their potential under the guidance of VFL premiership-winning coach McRae.
Pendlebury said he had “added motivation” heading into the upcoming season.
“It is, and always has been, a great honour to lead the team and stand for everyone who loves the black and white,” said Pendlebury, who is also Collingwood’s games record-holder.
“But I’ve got added motivation this year, my ninth in the role, which is to assist the new coaching panel to develop what is a relatively young squad.
“There’s no shortage of strong and emerging leaders in our group and this year we’ll take the opportunity to further develop those players as future leaders and, as a group, we have a role to play in the education of something like 20 or 21 first, second or third year players.”
In a video announcing Pendlebury had retained the captaincy, McRae said the Magpies skipper would help to usher in a new captain and/or leadership group.
In October, Pendlebury signed a new contract that will keep him at Collingwood until the end of the 2023 season.
“I’m glad to have come to an arrangement with the club to share in what feels like a new era,” Pendlebury said at the time.
