Craig McRae drops hint on Scott Pendlebury future as Gold Coast circles

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has rated Scott Pendlebury’s chances of playing on with the Magpies next year as “50-50”.

Pendlebury’s season is likely over after suffering a hamstring injury in the thumping loss to the Brisbane Lions last Friday night.

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Collingwood will need to win at least their wildcard match against the Western Bulldogs this Friday night, then an elimination final for Pendlebury to be even an outside chance of taking the field again in 2026.

After a VFL/AFL record 442 games, Pendlebury is weighing up whether he tries to continue on and play for a 22nd season.

The 38-year-old has long maintained he will hold off a decision until season’s end, with the outside possibility of him playing at Gold Coast as an effective on-field coach .

Channel 7 reporter Tom Morris said the Suns are “chips in” on landing the Collingwood legend.

“I can’t overestimate this – Gold Coast is chips in for Scott Pendlebury,” Morris said on SEN.

“They are all in for Scott Pendlebury. They want him to play for them next year. The Suns would love Pendlebury to play next year at the club.

“Whether this involves a coaching deal beyond that, I’m sure that will all be sorted out.

“The belief is that he is at least a reasonable chance, maybe even slightly better to look at that deal seriously in the next few weeks when he makes a call at the end of the season. Collingwood or Gold Coast.”

McRae denied there was any friction between Pendlenbury and the club about what should happen ahead of the 2027 campaign.

“I can see opportunities for him to play on and retire. I’m sure he’s weighing up a lot of those things.

“Having these conversations with ‘Pendles’ the last four or five years around what’s best for him and what’s best for us gives me great comfort that he’ll do what is best for the footy club.