Taylor Adams and Darcy Moore are among the candidates to take over as Collingwood captain after Scott Pendlebury stepped down after nine years in the top role.
Pendlebury, the Magpies’ longest-serving skipper, told teammates of his decision at training on Monday.
Scott Pendlebury has stepped down as Pies captain.Credit:Getty Images
The five-time Copeland Trophy winner has played a club-record 358 games, and led the Magpies on 206 occasions.
“To captain an AFL club is one of the greatest honours and it is not something I have ever taken for granted,” Pendlebury said.
“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 told teammates he had discussed the captaincy with coach Craig McRae and football department chief Graham Wright a year ago, but all parties agreed consistency of message was important heading into 2022 amid off-field upheaval, including the appointment of McRae replacing Nathan Buckley.
“At the end of the season, I spoke to them as well and I think it’s a really good time for me and the club to hand over and let someone else come through while I am still here to keep supporting that,” Pendlebury said.
“I think the group is in a great place for the next guy to come through.”
Vice-captains Adams, Jeremy Howe and Moore are all potential replacements.
Most VFL/AFL games as captain or co-captain
- 245: Joel Selwood (Geelong)
- 226: Stephen Kernahan (Carlton)
- 224: Dick Reynolds (Essendon)
- 221: Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
- 212: Ted Whitten (Footscray)
- 210: Michael Voss (Brisbane)
- 206: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
Adams, 29, an All-Australian in 2020, is a robust midfielder and straight shooter, and has been seen as a captain-in-waiting for some time. He has been in the leadership group for seven years but his injury history could count against him.
Should the Pies opt for a younger leader, Moore, 26, has also been an All-Australian and is seen by some at the club to be in the sweet spot of his career. He finished third in the Copeland Trophy this year, but is now recovering from a bone infection. His father Peter captained the Pies in 1981-82.
Jack Crisp, who moved into the midfield in 2022, is a quieter personality but is considered a strong leader and could be a contender for the job, with back-to-back Copelands.
Howe, 32, is a high-leaping defender, and would be more of a short-term option. Rebounding defender Brayden Maynard is also keen to pursue leadership responsibilities and could be an outside chance for the role.
Most VFL/AFL games as Collingwood captain
- 206: Scott Pendlebury
- 161: Nathan Buckley
- 149: Syd Coventry
- 123: Tony Shaw
- 116: Wayne Richardson
- 105: Phonse Kyne
- 104: Nick Maxwell
McRae said Pendlebury’s decision to step aside had been the player’s alone.
“As I said when I took over, it was always going to your (Pendlebury’s) decision to lead this club, and you have done it so magnificently, particularly last year in one of the best years you have ever had,” McRae said.
“So, there is an opportunity for someone else now.”
Pendlebury, a champion midfielder, spent more time across half-back last season. The shift worked a treat, for not only did the Magpies enjoy their biggest surge in club history – from 17th in 2021 to a preliminary final – but Pendlebury finished second in the Copeland Trophy count.
Remarkably, he has finished top three in the Copeland count in the past 14 of his 17 seasons. His two-year contract expires at the end of 2023.
“This year, I have shared in what feels like a new era of Collingwood – with new coaches, staff and a young playing group – and we have all witnessed what we have been able to create. It seems timely that we welcome a new captain for season 2023,” Pendlebury said.
The silky left-footer became captain in 2014, replacing Nick Maxwell, and has twice been named the AFLPA’s best captain.
“The club will soon put in place the process to appoint its 48th AFL captain with the announcement to be made ahead of the 2023 season,” the Magpies said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast Suns midfielder Matt Rowell has signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the end of 2025.
Rowell, who had a year remaining on his current deal, said the Suns were making strong progress under coach Stuart Dew.
“I really love the footy club and think we’re moving in a really good direction. I’m really confident in the group we have that we’re just going to get better,” Rowell said.
“The group has put a lot of hard work in, and I’ve signed the contract because I know we’ve gone through that tough bit and now we’re seeing some improvement. The end goal, which really drives us as a footy club, is to win that first premiership for the Gold Coast Suns, which would be awesome.”
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