The AFL’s illustrious 400 Club has a new member, as Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury played his 400th AFL match on Saturday night – making him just the sixth player to reach the milestone.
Pendles’ celebrated his 400th in style with celebrations galore at the MCG, including his very own song, special memorabilia and video highlights package.The match was another classic in the fiercest of rivalries between long-time foes Collingwood and Carlton.
Carlton held much of the play in the first half, however inaccuracies in front of goal saw the Magpies enter half-time 13-point leaders, with the margin increasing to 25 by three-quarter-time.
A fast-finishing Carlton were unable to regain the lead, with a kick after the siren to seal the fate of Pendlebury’s 400th match.
Roars and tears of joy erupted from Collingwood’s cheer squad and Pendlebury’s family as kick went wayward, with the Magpies winning the match by just three-points.
The milestone man finished the match with 27 disposals, six tackles and a goal assist.
Of his 400 games, Pendlebury has played 252 at the MCG – and holds the record for the most matches by an individual player at the MCG.
Pendlebury’s milestone moment is not the first 400th game played at the MCG.
Richmond’s Kevin Bartlett became the first player to reach 400 games in Round 19, 1983.
With almost 82,000 in attendance at the MCG, KB’s Tigers took on rivals Collingwood in a fierce clash, which would see his side go down by 10 points.
Seven years later, in 1990, Hawthorn’s Michael Tuck would be the second player to reach the milestone, securing a 10-point win in his 400th against North Melbourne at the MCG.
It took 25 years for another player to reach the milestone when, in 2015, Essendon’s Dustin Fletcher played his 400th and final AFL match.
Taking the field for Essendon in the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match, Fletcher finished his milestone match in the red substitute vest after sustaining a groin injury that would end his professional career.
VFL/ AFL players who have played 400 games or more:
Scott Pendlebury* (Collingwood) – 400Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) – 400
Kevin Bartlett (Richmond) – 403
Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide and Hawthorn) – 407
Michael Tuck (Hawthorn) – 426
Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) – 432
*still playing
.jpg)
