Collingwood coach Craig McRae suspects champion Scott Pendlebury remains “50-50” on whether to play on or retire next season.
Pendlebury injured his hamstring last game and will not feature in the Magpies’ wildcard final against Western Bulldogs on Friday night before a packed MCG.
The veteran midfielder reached the WFL/AFL games record earlier this year and produced one of the most remarkable Anzac Day performances of all time.
“It’s probably 50-50, to be honest, I could see opportunities for him to play on and retire,” McRae said.
“I’m sure he’s weighing up those things.”
Pendlebury has been linked with another season elsewhere should Collingwood opt against offering him a list spot.
McRae was careful when asked about the prospect of Pendlebury playing at a rival club.
“These are decisions he’s obviously weighing up with him and his management,” he said.
“It is a big story because he is a remarkable player for such a long time, but we will give him respect and the time that he’s asked for.”
McRae has maintained “open dialogue” with Pendlebury, giving Collingwood’s greatest player the chance to make the call in his own time.
“Yeah multiple times, I spoke to him Saturday about that. I heard some narrative about Pendles letting the player dictate their own decisions for the future,” he said.
“Having these conversations with Pendles for the last five years around what’s best for him and best for us gives me great comfort that he’ll do what is best for the footy club.
“He won’t go on and play, in my eyes, unless he can perform at a certain level – so that gives you great confidence, ‘Hey, over to you mate, you make those decisions when you think they’re appropriate’.
“(The decision) not entirely in his hands but led by conversations with him.
“We’re an open dialogue around that – I am giving him space as requested and he will make that decision at the end of the year and we’ll let him have that.”
Originally published as AFL 2026: Collingwood coach Craig McRae addresses Scott Pendlebury’s future