'Good bloke clause' gets Pendlebury off career-first ban

Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury has been relieved of his one-match suspension, and is free to play after deliberation with the Tribunal.

For the first time in his 21 seasons in the AFL, the 38-year-old was handed a one-match suspension by the MRO.

Pendlebury was suspended after laying a bump on Adelaide’s Josh Worrell during the Magpies’ 14-point loss to the Crows on Saturday.

The MRO deemed the incident rough conduct whilst grading it as high conduct, medium impact and careless conduct.

After deliberation with the Tribunal on Tuesday night, the Magpie legend had his charge upheld, but was cleared of his suspension, handed a $3000 fine under compelling and exceptional circumstances due to his clean career record.

With the Tribunal's decision, Pendlebury is free to play, and is once again on track to break the all time games record against Hawthorn in Round 8.

According to SEN's Tom Morris, Collingwood are 'seriously considering' challenging the ban at the Tribunal. But instead of trying to have the impact downgraded to low, the Magpies will hope to put forth Pendlebury's good character as reason for him to be let off with a fine.

Morris discussed Pendlebury's exceptional record with Kane Cornes and David King on SEN Breakfast on Monday morning.

“Just to be clear, Pendlebury's played 427 games. He's never been suspended. He's been fined three times, once in 2022 and twice in 2024. Does he qualify for this?” Morris said.

Cornes: “Yes. If he doesn't, no one does. Let him off, let him play.”

King: “If he gets off, in five games' time, he equals Boomer Harvey’s record of 432 games, that would be Anzac Day. They want the marquee day for game 432.”

Morris: “Is the Tribunal thinking of that though?”

King: “They’ll get told what to do.”

Cornes: “With that clause, if it doesn't apply to someone like Scott, there's no point in having it.”