Fresh details have emerged surrounding Scott Pendlebury’s bombshell Collingwood departure, with the Magpies great reportedly left “disappointed” after the one-year deal he was prepared to sign never arrived.

Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph revealed Pendlebury would have remained at Collingwood in 2027 had the club put another contract in front of him during the back end of the season.

Instead, with no offer forthcoming, Pendlebury’s management began exploring alternatives before ultimately approaching Gold Coast themselves over the stunning move north.

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“He would have stayed for another one year deal if it was offered to him in the back third of the season according to those that know him really well,” Ralph reported during On The Couch.

“But it was never forthcoming as both parties worked through it and there was a public stance that the club was working through at the end of the season.

“I think it disappointed Scott Pendlebury.”

Pendlebury’s departure brought an extraordinary 442-game career at Collingwood to an end, with the 38-year-old now joining Gold Coast on a four-year deal.

He is expected to play for the Suns for the first two seasons before transitioning into Damien Hardwick’s coaching staff for the remaining two years.

Scott Pendlebury was reportedly left “disappointed” by how his final season at Collingwood unfolded.Source: FOX SPORTS

Ralph also reported there had been “tension” between the two parties surrounding the manner in which Pendlebury’s departure played out.

“So he left without the farewell to the fans, he said it was Steele Sidebottoms moment and then he did release his or he did announce his retirement through the Herald Sun the next morning,” Ralph said.

“The Collingwood Footy Club was not aware of that process.”

Ralph also revealed how the move to Gold Coast came together, with Pendlebury’s management approaching the Suns several weeks ago rather than the other way around.

“His management sniffed the wind,” Ralph said.

“They went to the Suns about four to six weeks ago through the Suns recruiter in Kall Burns.

“It was actually Pendlebury’s camp who pitched that deal, not the Suns.”

The revelation adds another layer to one of the biggest moves since the end of Collingwood’s season, with Pendlebury now set to continue his decorated playing career away from the only club he has represented at senior level.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell, who made a similar late-career move himself, admitted he was stunned when reports of Pendlebury’s decision first emerged.

After winning four premierships across 307 games for Hawthorn, Mitchell left the club where he had spent his entire AFL career to join West Coast on a three-year deal.

Mitchell talks Pendlebury comparison | 01:10

He ultimately played just one season for the Eagles before retiring after 329 games and moving into coaching.

Mitchell joined Adam Simpson’s coaching staff in 2018 and was an assistant as West Coast defeated Collingwood in that year’s Grand Final, before returning to Hawthorn and eventually taking over as senior coach in 2022.

Speaking on AFL 360, Mitchell admitted he initially struggled to believe the reports suggesting Pendlebury would follow a similar path.

“Yeah, I mean, I was surprised. I don’t know if you guys sort of knew about it,” Mitchell said.

“I was certainly surprised when we read into it.

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“I sort of thought it was a rumour and one of those things you don’t worry about and then you see it’s legitimate.

“But he, I don’t know him well, but he seems to be quite a thoughtful person who has thought it through with a level of detail.”

Mitchell was then asked what he gained from leaving the familiarity of Hawthorn and experiencing another AFL organisation before beginning his coaching career.

“I think seeing things from the other side is always going to be very different,” Mitchell said.

“I think also it’s not just the way you can do and the way you don’t do things.

“It’s just what questions to ask.

“Seeing how things are done from different organisations obviously gives you a much more rounded view of the game and makes you recognise what you have had and also some things that potentially can be better.”

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell admitted he was “surprised” by Scott Pendlebury’s decision to leave Collingwood.Source: FOX SPORTS

Mitchell’s experience provides an intriguing blueprint for what Pendlebury could gain from his move north.

After spending more than two decades inside Collingwood, the move will expose Pendlebury to a completely different football environment under three-time premiership coach Hardwick before he eventually makes the transition into coaching himself.

While Mitchell admitted his surprise at the decision, AFL 360’s Garry Lyon was emphatic in his assessment of the move.

“Brilliant decision, Gerard. In my opinion, absolutely brilliant,” Lyon said.

“From all concerned, I just see this as having winners everywhere.

“His time is at Collingwood. Now, had he gone around again, we all would have gone, no, fair enough.”

Lyon also referenced AFL legend Leigh Matthews’ comments surrounding whether players should have the power to determine when their careers at clubs come to an end.

“Leigh said two weeks ago, no players get to announce when they stay or go and I’m thinking, well, probably if anyone does, Pendlebury does,” Lyon said.

“But Collingwood fans, they should just cheer him on the way out, thank him for what he’s done for this football club, and maybe hope for the day that he comes back.”

While Collingwood loses one of the most influential figures in the club’s history, Lyon believes Gold Coast emerges as the biggest winner.

“I think the biggest winners are the Gold Coast Suns, and the AFL not too far behind them, because they need his presence at that football club,” Lyon said.

Why Pendlebury is perfect for the Suns | 03:10

“What can he be to them? Well, he can be the ultimate measuring stick for that footy club.

“So if you think you’re being professional, Matt Rowell, measure yourself there.

“And if you think, Jamarra, you’re working extra, go and measure yourself there.

“So every single thing that Scott Pendlebury stands for now is the benchmark for that football club, and I think they need a benchmark, Gerard, to me,” Lyon added.

Ralph also revealed the Suns believe Pendlebury’s arrival could have a significant impact on captain Noah Anderson after a difficult season balancing his leadership and playing responsibilities.

“They (the Suns) believe that the biggest benefit is to their second year captain in Noah Anderson,” Ralph said.

“Now he really battled this year by his own admission. I spoke to him after the final game, he said that we felt like we were a dead carcass being kicked at.

“He really wasn’t able to juggle the captaincy and playing components.

“And so the Suns believe he’ll play great football but more to the point, he’ll really allow their captain to shine once again.”

Pendlebury therefore heads north not only as one of the most decorated players of his generation, but as a figure capable of having an immediate influence on a Gold Coast side attempting to take the next step.