Collingwood will appoint a new captain for the 2023 AFL season after long-time leader Scott Pendlebury stepped down from the role.
Pendlebury, who took over from 2010 premiership captain Nick Maxwell nine years ago, led the Magpies as skipper in a club-record 206 games.
Taylor Adams, Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore served as Pendlebury’s deputies in 2022 and are among the leading candidates to take on the role.
The 34-year-old is contracted to the end of next season and will continue playing after he hands over the captaincy.
“To captain an AFL club is one of the greatest honours and it is not something I have ever taken for granted,” Pendlebury said in a club statement.
“It has been an absolute privilege to lead this side for as long as I have.
“At 34 years of age and in the twilight of my career, I felt that this is the optimal time to hand over the position and support the next captain of our club.
“I have experienced all the great football highs and lows throughout my nine-year tenure as captain and I look forward to seeing the next person take the opportunity and make it their own.”
Pendlebury has played a club-record 358 games for Collingwood and finished second in the club’s best and fairest award last season.
The Magpies’ next captain will be their 48th in AFL/VFL history.
Pendlebury’s announcement and Geelong champion Joel Selwood’s retirement after the Cats’ premiership win in September means the AFL’s two longest-serving captains of 2022 will both no longer be in the role next season.
It means the AFL’s current longest-serving captain is North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell (111 games), who took on the role at the end of 2016.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
Maybe James Sicily?
Chum
Roar Rookie
Pendlebury is the closest thing to Simon Black since Simon Black
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
David Rhys-Jones was the ultimate hothead. Not sure if he still holds the record for most Tribunal appearances, but he certainly was a joy to watch when he was able to play.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
He reminds me of David Rhys-jones the great Carlton player. Vastly different temperaments but both had that ability to make time look as if it had slowed down when they had the ball.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I saw and met him when he came out to talk and watch the juniors play. A gentleman and nice caring guy.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
It’s cricket season forgive for my sins :stoked:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Sundry? Now Blakely has left, he'd be the 'bye'. Which of that mob would be the 'no ball'?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Then all & sundry :stoked:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Both? 3 were mentioned.
Dingo
Roar Rookie
Fantastic player but more importantly seems like a decent person. Certainly well respected by opponents and that’s a huge compliment to him. A lot of the younger players at Collingwood should spend their spare time learning from him.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Dougie Hawkins wipes them both off the mat :stoked:
Valentino
Roar Rookie
Only player I have seen do a 360 in one direction followed by a 360 in the opposite direction while corralled and looking to handball to a team-mate, which I think he did. That was in 2022 :-)
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I’d rate Williams the smartest & best decision-maker the game has seen, along with Sam Mitchell. Hard to split the two. Pendles’ gracefulness is on another level, sedating time as he works his craft.
Opps74
Roar Rookie
He is all class...I rate him much higher than Buckley, Pendles Collingwood best player...hope he can do a Selwood and end his career with a flag
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'd go Connor Blakely.
JudgeMental
Roar Rookie
Hard to rate all-time opposition players, but he's certainly been one I've loved to watch this century. One of those guys that can visibly slow time when he's making a play. In Dependlebury, Collingwood have had a brilliant captain, and in stepping down to help mentor his successor, he shows his class again.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
A good player but I would rank Diesel above him for poise and composure.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I rate Pendles number 1 for poise & composure that the game has ever seen. He’s been a joy to watch and a wonderful ambassador of the game. Moore is his likely replacement. That’s who I’d choose, anyway.
Knoxy
Roar Rookie
One of the greatest ever players to don the black and white stripes. Hopefully he can play on for another season or two!
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Pendles will go down not only as a legend of the game, but one of the great Captains of Collingwood. He would be one of my all time favourite opposition players to watch. It will be a sad day when he finally hangs up his boots. A true champion of our great game.