Scott Pendlebury has been handed the first suspension of his 427 AFL appearances to stall the Collingwood champion’s road to the all-time games record.
Pendlebury, 37, was given a one-match ban for making rough conduct with Adelaide’s Josh Worrell in Saturday night’s clash at the MCG.
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The incident was graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.
The ban would rule out Pendlebury from the Magpies’ Round 3 clash with GWS after their bye.
Unless he can overturn it using the ‘good character clause’ at the tribunal, which Brisbane star Charlie Cameron successfully used in the past.
“I’ve never been in this situation in 427 games,” Pendlebury said on Seven.
“I’m not sure what happens or how it works but we’ll have a chat tomorrow and see where it lands.”
Pendlebury was originally set to break Brent Harvey’s VFL/AFL games record of 432 in a home game against Hawthorn at the MCG in Round 8.
However, pending a tribunal challenge, Pendlebury’s historic feat is now set to be pushed back at least a week to an away game against Geelong at the MCG in Round 9.
“Exemplary record can be exceptional, compelling circumstances … he’s played 472 games and never been suspended. It’s almost the Scott Pendlebury clause,” Fox Footy’s David Zita said.
“Charlie Cameron was an interesting one, they spoke about compelling circumstances with his record. There was a fair bit of backlash to the fact that got off.
“But I don’t know if anyone is going to be too upset if Pendlebury uses the ‘good bloke defence’ at the tribunal, given the amount of games he’s played without a ban.”