Collingwood have sprung one last surprise for Scott Pendlebury’s record-breaking 433rd game, with every player wearing a gold number on the back of their guernsey.
Pendlebury had been expected to wear the special edition after the plan was leaked weeks before Saturday’s clash with West Coast at the MCG.
Plenty of criticism had been directed at the former captain and the Pies after he was rested from two games against finals rivals, while a series of fundraising initiatives — and a charity angle — trickled out and sparked plenty of debate.
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But the Magpies ensured they still “looked like a team” when every player stepped out onto the MCG donning gold numbers alongside Pendlebury.
Collingwood had kept the gold numbers secret, with Pendlebury’s teammates only learning about the gesture after the warm-up.
“Love it. Love myself some merch!” David King said on Fox Sports.
“That looks terrific. Doesn’t that look great on the back of the jumpers?
“Great to see the club went with full 23. Jeez that’s striking, that looks terrific, well done Collingwood.”
Richmond great Jack Riewoldt was of the belief coach Craig McRae drove the initiative.
“He’s one of the all-time team men. He would’ve driven this, because there was a bit of publicity about Scott,” Riewoldt said.
“How good the teammates have fallen in behind him and the AFL allows this to happen. What a special occasion.”
McRae did not spill the beans on the process but joked, with tongue firmly in cheek, that the Pies had not flagged the idea with the AFL beforehand.
“The jumpers look good,” he said.
“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.”
A monster crowd arrived as expected with few seats left empty for the start of the contest.
Pendlebury shook hands with the likes of 400-gamers Dustin Fletcher, Michael Tuck, Shaun Burgoyne and previous record-holder Brent Harvey before greeting family on the ground.
He took children Jax and Darcy, who designed his boots for the day, through the banner before the trio were joined by his wife Alex for a pre-game photo.
“It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever received in footy,” Pendlebury said of his boots.
“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.”
Pendlebury arrived at the MCG wearing a custom $50,000 premiership ring to be auctioned off for charity and also took the toss as he did in his eight years as skipper.
“(The build-up) is different, and since ‘Fly’ (McRae) has been here we’ve been really big on actually embracing the occasion,” Pendlebury told Fox Sports 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.”
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.
Pendlebury is sharing his milestone game with three others — Magpies defender Dan Houston will play his 200th game and West Coast young gun Harley Reid his 50th, while boundary umpire Ian Burrows will officiate his 450th match.
The 90,000-plus crowd will be the largest West Coast have played in front of outside of 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.”
