Collingwood legend and AFL games record holder Scott Pendlebury will move to the Gold Coast Suns in 2027.
Pendlebury, who has played 442 games for the Magpies, will move to the Suns as an unrestricted free agent.
The contract is believed to be a multi-year agreement, where the 38-year-old will play a hybrid coaching and on-field role for two seasons, before moving into an assistant coach role for another two years.
Pendlebury was not offered a new contract to continue his career at Collingwood.
“For the past 21 years, it’s been an incredible privilege to be a Collingwood footballer. From walking in the doors as a 17-year-old, to seeing the way everyone at the club has welcomed and embraced my family over all these years is something that is truly special,” Pendlebury said in a statement.
“I’ve spent the majority of my life here and so many of my best memories have come through being part of Collingwood. The friendships, the challenges, the successes and even the tough times have all shaped who I am.
“The privilege of pulling on the Collingwood jumper has never been lost on me. I understand what this club means to so many people and I’ve always tried to represent it in a way that makes our Magpie Army proud.
“This decision has not come lightly but I know this is the best thing for me and my family as I transition into the next phase of my football journey.”
The midfielder will leave the Magpies as one of the club’s greatest-ever players, having won two premierships, a Norm Smith medal and six All-Australian nods.
His role at the Suns is set to mimic former Hawthorn legend Luke Hodge’s 2018 move to the Brisbane Lions, where Hodge played two seasons as an on-field coach for a young Lions squad that has gone on to win two premierships from three grand final appearances.
The deal will be officially ticked off when the AFL’s free agency period begins on October 2.
Pendlebury was denied a finals farewell game in Collingwood’s wildcard loss to the Western Bulldogs on Friday night after straining his hamstring in the final game of the regular season.
Discussion about this post