![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/38e4788906605c68fe715c1cbaecfac2787676e0.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nRemarkably, Pendlebury had only been fined a few times. The three offences that resulted in monetary penalties \u2013 for rough conduct, tripping and striking \u2013 have happened since 2022.<\/p>\n
In his evidence, Pendlebury maintained that he had braced for impact and at no stage was he trying to bump Worrell.<\/p>\n
Asked when he first saw the Crow, Pendlebury replied: \u201cWhen the ball hits the deck and changes direction, that\u2019s when I knew that [all the players] were going to collide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI brace myself for a collision at that point that I thought was going to be inevitable. If I didn\u2019t brace myself, I thought we were going to knock each other out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collingwood\u2019s player representative, Tom Gastin, primed the veteran AFL player by asking him about the notion of duty of care for opponents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you approach any contest, it\u2019s to look after players around you as the head is sacrosanct,\u201d Pendlebury said.<\/p>\n
Pendlebury said once he had chosen to brace for contact, he started to slow down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the first reaction, especially with the duty of care, is to decelerate as quickly as possible,\u201d Pendlebury said.<\/p>\n
Loading<\/p>\n
\u201cIn real time, it happened so quickly – I was just trying to brace for what was inevitable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The veteran Magpie said he first became aware of the level of contact with Worrall the following day when he was told he\u2019d been cited by the AFL\u2019s match review officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce the incident happened, I didn\u2019t think anything of it,\u201d Pendlebury said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s never been my intention in my career to try and injure another player.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under further questioning from the AFL\u2019s counsel, Albert Dinelli KC, Pendlebury emphasised that he had no option but to brace for contact.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I feel like I don\u2019t turn my body to brace \u2026 we\u2019d both be \u201copen as\u201d, like a split down the middle,\u201d Pendlebury said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think anytime you brace for contact you have to go forward where the hit [impact] is. At that speed, I can\u2019t go backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The 400 club (from left): Michael Tuck (426 games), Shaun Burgoyne (407), Scott Pendlebury (played his 427th on Saturday night), Dustin Fletcher (400) and Brent Harvey (432). Only Kevin Bartlett (403), who was unavailable, was missing from the exclusive club when this photo was taken.Credit: Simon Schluter<\/p>\n
Collingwood also tendered evidence showing Pendlebury\u2019s speed in the incident had slowed \u2013 from more than 6km\/h down to nearly 1km\/h.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat amount of deceleration is inconsistent with a player trying to bump,\u201d Gaskin said in summation.<\/p>\n
\u201cA bump would involve an acceleration of speed, not a deceleration of speed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tribunal has the medical report. Worrell returned to play and ended up being one of Adelaide\u2019s best players.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe say the contact was not unreasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Pendlebury](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/7d99be9f248e87d7098680700f2c3e6e229caea4.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Pendlebury has never been suspended.Credit: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
Pendlebury\u2019s exemplary record was freely discussed throughout the hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the tribunal considers that Mr Pendlebury is guilty of rough conduct, he relies on his exemplary playing record as an exceptional and compelling circumstance which warrants the imposition of a punishment other than suspension,\u201d Gastin said in opening.<\/p>\n
Collingwood even compared the records of other 400-game AFL players \u2013 Shaun Burgoyne, Brent Harvey and Dustin Fletcher \u2013 who were suspended for six, 12 and 20 matches respectively across their careers.<\/p>\n
Tribunal regulations allow players to argue for leniency based on their record.<\/p>\n
The relevant clause reads: \u201cPlayers will not automatically receive a reduced sanction for a good record. However, if a classifiable offence is contested or referred to the tribunal, a player with an exemplary record may argue that their good record constitutes exceptional and compelling circumstances\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Pies veteran is due to equal former North Melbourne champion Harvey\u2019s games record against Essendon on Anzac Day before breaking it the following week against Hawthorn.<\/p>\n