Pendlebury tipped to break Boomer’s all-time AFL games record

Collingwood great Scott Pendlebury is being tipped to break Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey’s all-time V/AFL games record.

Pendlebury has played 405 games, which sits fourth on the overall list, and needs 28 more to break Harvey’s record of 432.

He will be 38 next season if he opts to play on which has Tim Watson pondering whether or not the former Magpies captain will be given a chance to reach the target.

“In any way should Collingwood be trying to help him get to that point?,” Watson asked on SEN Breakfast.

Garry Lyon is confident that ‘Pendles’ is going well enough to continue of his own volition in 2026 which will enable him to become the league’s most capped player in history.

“No, and I don’t think they would have to,” Lyon replied.

“I think he’s going to get there, I think he’s going to zoom past Boomer Harvey.

“Boomer could have kept playing. He was a victim of not a great period for the Kangaroos where they shovelled a few out the door.

“I would expect Scott Pendlebury to play this year and next given the way he prepares and his body. You wouldn’t rule him out.”

After 19 touches in the Opening Round loss to GWS, Pendlebury started as the sub in last weekend’s big win over Port Adelaide. He picked up eight disposals after replacing Jeremy Howe in the third quarter.

He will suit up for his 406th AFL game in black and white when the Magpies meet the Western Bulldogs, who are celebrating 100 years, at the MCG on Friday night.

The match will mark the 308th time Pendlebury and long-time teammate Steele Sidebottom will grace the turf together, breaking Adelaide pair Tyson Edwards and Andrew McLeod’s previous AFL record.