Scott Pendlebury breaks AFL/VFL games record in milestone match

After an intense build-up, Collingwood veteran Scott Pendlebury has run on to the MCG to break North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey’s AFL/VFL games record.

Scott Pendlebury has run out alongside his children Jax and Darcy for his AFL/VFL record-breaking 433rd game for Collingwood in front of a huge MCG crowd.

The Magpies host West Coast in the Saturday twilight fixture, with more than 90,000 fans tipped to be part of the celebration of Pendlebury’s remarkable milestone.

And in a surprise move, every Collingwood player has donned a gold number on the back of their jumper in Pendlebury’s honour.

It comes after the club’s original call to have only Pendlebury wearing a gold number came under fire.

“The jumpers look good,” Magpies coach Craig McRae told Fox Footy before the match.

“I’m not sure we got approval for all of them - we might get in trouble for that - but we wanted to look like a team.”

Pendlebury, who made his AFL debut in 2006, moves past retired North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey as the competition’s all-time games record holder.

“It is different, and since ‘Fly’ [McRae] has been here we’ve been really big on actually embracing the occasion,” Pendlebury told Fox Footy before the match.

“This is a little bit different because it is an individual (milestone) but I’ve tried to lap it up and enjoy it.

“It’s pretty funny; I was just doing some shopping yesterday down in Elwood and they clapped me when I walked out, and I was holding a pumpkin.

“It’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed it, and now’s the easy part where you get to go out and play.”

Pendlebury is also wearing custom designed Puma boots, decorated by Jax and Darcy.

“It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever received in footy,” Pendlebury said.

“I was a little bit shocked when I opened them up during the week and each kid had designed a boot.

“I’ve got them down there and I can’t wait to put them on.”

The milestone match follows a period of intense focus on Pendlebury and Collingwood’s handling of their veteran superstar in the build-up.

Debate centred around whether the lead-in prioritised the individual over his team.

Pendlebury, who dominated in the Magpies’ most recent win on Anzac Day, was “managed” when left out of two of the past three games - resulting in a draw with Hawthorn and a narrow loss to Sydney.

The selection calls came under heavy scrutiny, with the loudest critics accusing Collingwood of “hand-picking” West Coast as an easy kill for Pendlebury’s milestone game.

“That’s pretty naive to think we would do that,” McRae said this week.

Collingwood (4-5-1) can move back into a ‘wildcard’ spot with victory over the Eagles (3-7), who ran over the top of GWS last week and have their own eyes on the top 10.

“They played really good footy last week and we know what we’re up against,” Pendlebury said.

“At the same time, I know we haven’t got many points of late ... but we’ve played some really good sides.

“We drew with Hawthorn and lost by a kick to the Swans, so we’re playing alright footy and I think we’re building.

“I’m looking forward to trying to get the win today.”

A crowd of more than 90,000 fans is expected, which would be the largest home-and-away attendance in history for a Magpies-Eagles contest.

It will also be the largest crowd West Coast have played in front of, except for grand finals.

“It’s going to be amazing to have that many people here and we’re so fortunate to play in front of these crowds all the time,” Pendlebury said.

“For a lot of fans to be able to get here and pack this house out today will be really special.

“There’s nothing better than the ‘G on a Saturday afternoon in front of ninety thousand.”

Pendlebury, a two-time premiership player, six-time All-Australian and Norm Smith medallist, will share his special day with three other milestone men.