“It’s just extraordinary”: Lyon and Watson’s appreciation for the great Scott Pendlebury

Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury is set to achieve one of the most illustrious milestones in football as he prepares to play his 400th AFL game this Saturday night against Carlton.

Pendlebury will become the sixth player in VFL/AFL history to become a member of the 400 club and the first to do it in a Magpies jersey.

Pendlebury was drafted by Collingwood in the 2005 national draft and has since become arguably the greatest Magpie of all time. His remarkable resume includes two premierships, a North Smith Medal, six All-Australian honours, and five club best and fairests.

Essendon great Tim Watson spoke on Pendlebury’s incredible milestone and what sets his game apart from anyone else.

“I don't think there are many players in the history of the game that have seen the game as clearly as he has seen the game from all sides when he’s played; it’s just extraordinary how he is able to manipulate a situation without having that power and speed,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.

“He plays in a methodical way; you can almost see the decision process going on in his mind, it’s a freakish ability he has and it’s not something you can teach somebody.

“He has been an extraordinary talent, and we should celebrate him as much as we can, whether you barrack for Collingwood or not; when a talent like that comes along, they should be given all the compliments they deserve.”

Garry Lyon expressed similar thoughts on Pendlebury’s freakish ability to evade, elude, and escape opposition players.

“For someone who has never been described as quick and lightning fast, he rarely gets a finger played on him. He can negotiate his way through a field of 36 players in a physical full-contact sport and do it in the manner he has been able to do it,” Lyon said.

“He never wastes it. Every time he gets the footy, he ensures the next possession is to the benefit of his club.

“Time slows down around him, and that will be the endearing legacy he leaves.”

Collingwood has lost four of their last five games and simply cannot afford to lose another game if they have any chance to defend their premiership title.

Pendlebury will reach his incredible achievement of 400 games this Saturday night against Carlton in a sudden-death clash against the out-of-form Blues.