When Nathan Buckley was interviewed by Mark Stevens for the Herald Sun last week, inevitably the topic of Scott Pendlebury’s future came up.
The speculation is that Pendles, who signed only a one-year contract extension at the Pies last year, will join the GWS Giants from 2013.
The response of Bucks wasn’t the most convincing of answers, to say the least.
Here’s how it was reported by Stevens: “Buckley said he believed that Pendlebury chose a short-term deal to challenge himself to overtake Dane Swan as the Magpies’ No.1 player.”
Putting that idea out there was a nice attempt at spin by the Collingwood coach, but ultimately it was hard not to chuckle at that paragraph. It reeked of a man clutching at straws.
The quotes from Buckley would go on to say that he thought Pendlebury wanted to become Collingwood’s highest-paid player and that overtaking Swan would justify that title. While this notion momentarily gave the argument a bit of support, it didn’t take long to realise that if he was truly motivated by better remuneration, well, GWS might be able to help him out there…
It’s too early to say Pendlebury will definitely be going to GWS or anything like that. But after the last two years – with both the Gary Ablett and Tom Scully sagas – it’s almost as though we’ve come to read a bit more into signs like these.
Certainly, eyebrows were instantly raised when Pendles signed that one-year contract. Very few players willingly opt for a one-year deal, and the fact he did so this year – remembering the Giants have two years to sign uncontracted players – was mighty suss.
Throw in the fact GWS, unlike Gold Coast a year earlier, didn’t land a “big fish” in 2011 – no, Scully does not count – and it all lines up.
Except Pendlebury isn’t the only one that’s been linked to the AFL’s newest club. There’s also St Kilda’s Brendan Goddard.
The Giants have been reported to be interested in Goddard since as far back as February last year. The list of players worthy of filling that Ablett type marquee role is not a long one, and when you take out the players who aren’t out of contract Goddard’s name, like Pendlebury’s, stands out.
Goddard, for what it’s worth, had some interesting comments on Triple M last year.
“For me personally, I’m as loyal as they come but at some stage players are going to start thinking about their future and life after football is a lot longer than life in it,” he said. “I believe I’ve given everything I can to this footy club and they’ve given back to me as well.”
You can read into that what you will, but it does show he’s open to the idea of switching clubs if the circumstances were right.
Now yes, it’s only February. If either player is going to be a Giant next year it won’t be announced until September or October. But GWS had a window at the end of last year to sign uncontracted players.
Said list manager Stephen Silvagni in November: “Look, we’re speaking to the managers right at the minute and we have the ability to sign them now.”
It’s entirely plausible that one of Pendlebury and Goddard has already agreed to become a Giant.
One thing’s for sure, though: it’s doubtful we’ve seen the last of these two men gracing our back pages this year.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Considering his treatment by (the hypocritical) Thompson, I don't think Ablett had any choice but to leave.
Richard
Roar Guru
You're right Danielle. Pendles can play for Collingwood, at the MCG, in front of huge adoring crowds, in a city which loves football, where he'll be able to develop a powerful network of professional and business contacts which will set him up for the rest of his life. Or he can go to GWS for a short term cash boost. It would be like moving from Melbourne to Colac to live. Silence is deafening. Pendles is an intelligent and thoughtful man. He'll re-sign at the 'Pies for sure (although no doubt he'll squeeze them first - Good on 'im). If I was Goddard though, I'd think about moving on, as the Saints are 3-5 years away from a premiership.
Danielle
Roar Rookie
Ablett ...could have added one more if he stayed, his loss as it would be Scott's IF he leaves but i doubt he will.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Danielle, Thats what they said about Ablett, too. And he had a premiership as well. Oddly, I think he'd be more of a chance to stay if they hadnt won the flag season before last.
Lachlan
Roar Guru
Why not both? :D Seriously i believe the giants will go all out this season, ithink either T. Walker or Hurley and Pendlebury or Goddard, are bound for Breakfast Point. Plus a lot more!!! Hopefully none from Sydney.
Danielle
Roar Rookie
oh and Ian, you may have more money but we have Robert Harvey, Idol of Scott Pendlebury... read it and weep :P http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/tabid/5586/default.aspx?newsid=126138
Danielle
Roar Rookie
Ian- Money, or the chance to play in another premiership or two? hmm i know which one i would pick if i was in his shoes. Money comes and goes but premierships are on another level, especially for a serious player. I can't see him going just to get a raise, if he does leave it will be after another flag or two.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Danielle, Speaking on behalf of GWS, we'll be offering him Ablett money. If you want to keep him, match it.
Danielle
Roar Rookie
Pendles is the future Collingwood captain and he knows it (well i think its a bit obvious) he's not going anywhere. Sheedy, hands off! -.-
TomC
Guest
I can't remember who made this point, but it's been noted that Collingwood players have greater earning power through individual private sponsorship than players from other clubs, particularly players at teams in new markets like GWS. Even if GWS can pay Pendlebury far more than Collingwood can, the disparity won't be quite so great when you consider the effect moving to Sydney would have on his personal sponsorship earning potential. I reckon Pendlebury is most likely to stay. There's still plenty for him left to achieve at Collingwood. Not so sure about Goddard, but then based on GWS's recruiting strategy so far you'd think he might be a little old for them to throw a lot of money at.
JohnB
Guest
Actually I just figured out the answer to the last part - Brett Deledio.
JohnB
Guest
I would see Goddard as more likely for a few reasons: 1. Captaincy - he's a bit older than Pendles and this could be a decent incentive. I note that the Saints were meant to vote on a captain on Sunday but I haven't seen a follow up article yet. 2. Premiership window - again, Goddard being a few years older and without a flag makes this more of an issue for him than for Pendles. 3. Post-footy opportunities - I would imagine Collingwood could be the basis of greater post-footy connections for a player than St Kilda would (although I've read that they do have some sway with Victoria Police...) 4. Location - The GWS training base is about as close to the trendy parts of Sydney as St Kilda HQ is from the trendy parts of Melbourne, so this shouldn't be a huge issue. Plus Goddard could have an Ablett style clause that allows him to stay a few extra days after Melbourne games to see friends and family. I could, however, be completely wrong. I guess another question is whether it's possible that GWS get neither player! Who do they go for then?
Kick2Kick
Guest
You can tell it's AFL season when the trade market discussions have started.
Lucan
Thanks Ian. For some reason I thought they were playing under an interim CBA this year.
Redb
Roar Guru
That's the other thing Pie fans throw around, he's a leader and will become Captain of the CFC an honour that should keep him over getting double elsewhere . Dreamin' :) Heppell is safe, Hurley on the other hand....
Richard
Roar Guru
You'd have to ask Pendles. But seeing as how we're all making things up on this page, my take is that he wanted to wait until the new collective bargaining agreement with the AFL was in place. If I was in his position and had as much confidence in my ability as he has, I would have done the same. You say that Collingwood will have to choose between losing Pendlebury or Cloke. I don't agree at all. Despite all the rumours to the contrary over recent years, no-one has been successful at luring a leading player away from Collingwood. This year will be no different.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
New CBA's finalised already. Oh, and remember Cloke comes out of contract as well, and as an RFA, anyone can bid on him. Collingwood are going to need to pick who they are going to keep.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Richard, If what you say is true, why did he sign a one-year deal that released him during GWS' signing window ?
Richard
Roar Guru
I doubt that Pendlebury will leave the 'Pies. He is an acknowledged leader at CFC, has the devotion of the fans, is well supported with outstanding facilities at the club,which is one of the most influential in the sport, is and will be well rewarded and can stay in Melbourne where his family and friends are. I know that some will say that Gary Ablett was in sort of a similar position, but at that time there was a poisonous atmosphere at Kardinia Park. Without the tension between Ablett and Thomson, I doubt he would have gone. This article is just fluff, but I guess we'll have to get used to it in this age of free agency. I think it's more likely that Heppell will leave Essendon for GWS after another disappointing season.
Lucan
Both theories are very reasonable. Under the new CBA (when is that due to be finalised?), he and Collingwood may come to an agreement.