Round 11 – Collingwood v West Coast: Floreat Pica Society Report – Scott Pendlebury 433

May 25, 2026 by floreat pica society Leave a Comment

Round 11
Collingwood v West Coast
Saturday, 23 May 2026,
MCG

SP433

Australian Rules Football, like every other football code, is a team sport. From a very young age it is instilled in us that this is a team game – decisions, selections, strategies and game plans all revolve around the team. The team always comes first. And this is absolutely true, for 99.9% of the time. However, as in life, there are some very rare exceptions to the rule. And on this late autumn day at the MCG, this was one of them.

Yes, there was a game of football to be played against the West Coast Eagles, 4 points were up for grabs and the season was still very much on the line for the Pies. But this all seemed secondary, almost incidental. Why else would 90,028 fans turn up to see a run-of-the-mill game against an interstate team sitting 4th last on the ladder?

Why? To see No.10 create time and space, to see him dink, weave, swerve and glide across the field for the 433rd time. To see the way he predicts the play before it is evident to mere mortals, to see him point to, and direct, traffic, to see how he unselfishly brings others into the game, to see how football should be played – with skill, poise, grace and sportsmanship.

Unashamedly, we were all there for one thing: to pay tribute, to honour the peerless contribution and to celebrate an achievement 21 years in the making. They say the true test of greatness is to maintain a level of superior performance over a prolonged period of time. By this measure alone Scott Pendlebury is the definition of greatness.

So as we all made our way to the hallowed ground, either by foot, train, tram, bus or car, we did so with an air of excitement and anticipation. It felt like I was going to a Rolling Stones concert, because I knew I was guaranteed a very memorable occasion. Though the game didn’t end up being a classic, the spectacle didn’t disappoint.

First Quarter

Following the rock star entrance onto the ground to the adulation of the adoring crowd, and the Welcome to Country by Uncle Colin (it being Week 2 of Sir Doug Nicholls Round – if it’s a round, then why is it over 2 weeks? Anyway, best I leave that alone), the game finally gets under way, with all the Collingwood boys wearing gold numbers on their backs to the surprise of everyone.

It’s obvious from the beginning that the Eagles ‘have come to play’ and are relishing the party pooper role, roughing up Pendlebury and not giving him any time to create space and influence proceedings. They boot an early goal through Yeo mainly because 4 Collingwood defenders choose to jump and spoil. The Pies seem earnest in their endeavours but look tentative. It seems like they want to honour the occasion, but by trying too hard, are making some skill errors and taking wrong options. Finally, the Pies score truly from a freakish Lipinski goal in the pocket following a dish off from Naicos. And then, at the 10 minute mark, as West Coast are about to kick the ball into play after a point from Nick, we all put up our 433 signs and wave them furiously, paying homage to the great man.

West Coast get a second goal following a nice run and bounce from Duursma. The Eagles are making this a much tougher contest than everyone expected. A beautiful piece of pin point footpassing begins with Quaynor from the last line of defence followed by Frampton, Sidebottom, Howe, McCreery and ends with Elliot who spots De Goey but unfortunately he misses from 40m out. Not long afterwards, Elliot does likewise after a lace out pass from Nick. Counting Schultz’s earlier poster, that’s 3 missed set shots now. Nick has a golden opportunity to kick a running goal but sprays it left – his third point of the quarter. Steele takes an intercept mark in the forward 50 and finally kicks truly – reward for effort, but B Williams marks and goals just before quarter time, giving the lead back to the Eagles.

The ease with which West Coast are getting the ball into their forward line is concerning. Moore has taken some nice intercept marks and it is evident that his confidence is building as the game progresses. Pies could easily have been 2-3 goals in front but for poor kicking for goal.

Best for Pies: Naicos and Frampton while for the Eagles, it’s B Williams and Duursma. They’re fielding a very inexperienced side but do not seem overawed by the occasion, in fact they seem to be inspired by it. McStay, Jaicos and Allan are hardly sighted.

Pies 2.6.18 Eagles 3.2.20

Second Quarter

After a few minutes, Crisp gets a free 30m out almost directly in front but sprays it – that tantalising 100th goal is still eluding him, but Schultz rights the ship with a clever right foot snap soon afterwards. Elliot completely miscues a set shot from the boundary after a nice bit of play along the outer wing. The Eagles get one back and re-take the lead. Long is having one of those not quite there days. And then, out of nowhere, Naicos snaps truly from a ruck tap out – pure poetry in motion. But then Waterman spoils the vibe by kicking one after a dubious free against Maynard – these pesky Eagles won’t go away. He has a chance to kick a second one but sprays it badly. Pies then take the lead for good when Elliot takes the ball off the back of the pack and runs into an open goal. Cameron, having rucked all day, is given a spell by Moore. Allan caps a sustained period of play in the Pies’ forward line by snapping truly on his right from 40m out. Moore is seen going down the race and plays no further role in the game. It’s such a shame as he was working his way back into some form. (it later transpires he has a ‘moderate grade’ hamstring injury). Despite the setback, the Pies seem to be getting on top. Jaicos has a chance to extend the lead but completely butchers the set shot out on the full.

Sidebottom, Crisp and Jaicos got into their work this quarter while Naicos continued his brilliance. H Reid, Kelly and their younger brigade continue to do well for West Coast. McStay, Long and Houston have been MIA.

Pies 6.9.45 Eagles 5.5.35

Third Quarter

McStay finally bobs up, marks and kicks truly within the first minute. But the Eagles immediately get one back from the restart with a flukish snap from Champion. The Pies’ intensity seems to have lifted, the tackling pressure has gone up and easy kicks for the opposition are harder to come by. Naicos shepherds the ball from De Goey through for a goal but is paid a free kick against for a push in the back, only for the decision to be reversed when he is subsequently barrelled over by Ginbey. He doesn’t miss from point blank range. And then, in one of the highlights of the game, Jaicos goes by hand to Sidebottom from the centre ball up who streams downfield and lands the bouncing ball into the path of Naicos who sublimely taps it over to McCreery who in turn flips it over to Elliot who makes no mistake from the boundary. Brilliant play! Not surprisingly, the COLLINGWOOOOOD chant makes its first appearance. Elliot then does an encore when he snaps his third over his shoulder. It looks like the Pies, now 29 points up, are going to steamroll the Eagles. Trouble is, those birds from out west haven’t followed the script. Not only do they withstand the onslaught but they proceed to kick the next 3 goals and miss a golden chance for a fourth. The highlight for the Pies during this period is a hanger from Howe. As the siren sounds, we all feel a little deflated, thinking of what could have been. Ultimately, the Pies win the quarter by 1 point.

Best for Collingwood: Elliot, McCreery and Naicos. Cameron, while getting a lot of the ball, seems to be outpointed in the ruck by B Williams while the Eagles are getting an even contribution from a majority of its players.

Pies 10.12.72 Eagles 9.7.61

Fourth Quarter

Roan Steele snaps truly from 40m out after a couple of minutes to stem the bleeding. After some back and forth between the two sides, Hayes lands awkwardly in a tackling contest and dislocates his left shoulder – that’s 2 down now as he also plays no further part in the game. More up and down play before Yeo gets on the end of one for his third of the game and when Shanahan takes a pack mark and goals, it incredibly becomes a 3 point game and the crowd is virtually silent – surely not! But once again, out of nowhere, the enigma that is McStay kicks his second straight out of a rucking contest. Pies now lift again, sensing they have the game won if they can only maintain the pressure. And then, as if by divine intervention, Saint Nick receives a handball from Schultz, dodges and snaps truly for his third to the unbridled delight of the black and white army. But alas, pure joy quickly turns to horror when from the restart, Elliot flys and marks in the pocket, only to land awkwardly and immediately clutch his left knee in agony. Damn! A pall hangs over the MCG as he’s carted off on a stretcher for what is later confirmed as a ruptured ACL. The Pies have 4 and half minutes to hang on with only 2 left on the bench. They simply have to win, it is non-negotiable, no other outcome is acceptable. Schultz misses the ensuing kick for goal and the Eagles take the ball the length of the ground where Shanahan marks and kicks his second for the quarter. It’s now just about guts and the will to win. The Pies cling on to a tense 10 point lead and manage to ice the game for SP433.

Sidebottom, clearly inspired by his great mate, plays a slashing last quarter in defence while De Goey, Cameron and Quaynor also rise. The Eagles, belying their lowly position on the ladder, are gallant in defeat. Pendlebury is given a guard of honour and chaired off the ground by Sidebottom and Howe as fireworks encircle the MCG.

Pies 13.14.92 Eagles 12.10.82

Postscript

As much as it was great to win on such an auspicious occasion, there are still many question marks over the Pies this year, especially now with a growing injury list. But in the end it was all about Great Scott and the boys did him proud.

I, along with many other, agree with Michael Gleeson’s column in The Age who wrote that the time has come to rename the Copeland Trophy in his honour.

COLLINGWOOD 2.6 6.9 10.12 13.14 (92)
WAALITJ MARAWAR 3.2 5.5 9.7 12.10 (82)

GOALS
Collingwood: Elliott 3, N.Daicos 3, Steele 2, McStay 2, Schultz, Lipinski, Allan
Waalitj Marawar: Yeo 3, Shanahan 2, Champion 2, B.Williams, Waterman, Murdock, Johnston, Hough

BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, De Goey, Crisp, Elliott, Schultz
Waalitj Marawar: B.Williams, Reid, Yeo, McCarthy, Murdock

INJURIES
Collingwood: Moore (hamstring), Elliott (knee), Pendlebury (wrist/hand)
Waalitj Marawar: Nil

Crowd: 90,028 at the MCG

More Round 11 Reports can be read Here.