Scott Pendlebury sends scare through Collingwood as record-breaking game thrown into doubt

Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury has sent a scare through Magpies supporters after going down with an Achilles complaint.

The veteran midfielder was just four weeks away from drawing level with VFL/AFL games record-holder Brent Harvey on 432 games, and had been due to get there on Anzac Day against Essendon.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Scott Pendlebury goes down with Achilles tightness

But the former Collingwood skipper won’t get there as expected after coach Craig McRae ruled him out for the Easter Thursday clash against Brisbane.

Pendlebury came off the ground with Achilles tightness mid-way through the third term and went down into the rooms to receive treatment before he was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Speaking to Channel 7 after the game, Pendlebury said the issue stemmed from an incident earlier in the season.

“I actually rolled my ankle, but the inwards one, against Adelaide a few weeks ago in a centre bounce,” he said.

“It is what it is. After half-time, I sort of just felt sore in the ankle and Achilles again and played a little bit, but I just came off and said I feel like I can’t really roll through and push through.

“We had a go at trying to get it going and we came back out, and we were up by 25 points, so they just said it’s not worth it, just rest up.”

Asked if he thinks about the games record, the 38-year-old tried to play it down.

“Not really,” he said.

“Everyone does talk about it, but for me, it’s just trying to win; win games of footy, it’s a great feeling when we play how we did tonight.”

It’s unclear yet if Collingwood will send Pendlebury for a scan tomorrow morning to assess any damage, with an Easter Thursday date with Brisbane just six days away.

In 21 seasons at AFL level, Pendlebury has missed just 40 games. Friday night’s clash against the Giants was his 428th.

The Magpies also survived injury scares to skipper Darcy Moore (hamstring) and Josh Daicos (shoulder) as a burst of five consecutive goals across the third and fourth quarters delivered a 13.9 (87) to 7.12 (54) victory at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

The Magpies move to 2-1 after a superb game by Nick Daicos, headlined by two crucial goals as Collingwood broke open the game in the third term, proved the difference.

Daicos also racked up 36 disposals and six clearances in a masterful display.

GWS (1-3) were still without the likes of Sam Taylor, Aaron Cadman, Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford, but the absences were no excuse for their horrendous goal-kicking and some butchering of the ball going inside 50.

Collingwood’s defence, bolstered by Moore and Jeremy Howe, were superb and brilliantly shut down Jesse Hogan, who went goalless, and Jake Stringer.

Moore, on return from a calf injury, pulled up sore in his right leg after kicking out of defence late in the opening quarter and went straight down to the rooms.

But he returned in the second term and played out the game.

Josh Daicos appeared to injure his left shoulder in a tackle in the first quarter but returned and played on, collecting 33 disposals, while Steele Sidebottom had 31.

Collingwood ruck debutant Oscar Steene (20 hitouts) proved an inspired selection, working over Giants ruckman Kieren Briggs athletically and taking a fantastic contested mark for his maiden AFL goal.

Tim Membrey snagged three goals in the opening quarter and finished with four for the match.

For GWS, Finn Callaghan (35 disposals), Clayton Oliver (37 disposals, 10 clearances) and Lachie Whitfield (39 disposals) had plenty of the ball, while Jayden Laverde worked hard down back.

GWS looked in trouble early when Membrey and Lachie Schultz quickly dobbed the opening two goals.

Then, GWS had their period of dominance — but couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.

Collingwood took their chances and led by 14 points at quarter-time.

GWS cut the deficit to nine at halftime and trailed by three early in the third quarter.

But Collingwood went up a gear in the third term, then put the foot down for an impressive victory.

- With AAP