The tension at Collingwood right now is a familiar one: the delicate balance between the pursuit of immediate success and the preservation of a legacy. As the Magpies sit at a precarious 4-4, the club has found itself in the crosshairs of a debate that transcends a single game plan, centering on how to manage the final chapters of Scott Pendlebury’s storied career.
The controversy stems from a decision to rest the 38-year-old veteran for the upcoming clash against the ladder-leading Sydney Swans at the SCG. The move is designed to ensure Pendlebury is peak-condition for his record-breaking milestone game against West Coast at the MCG in Round 11. While the logic is sound from a commercial and historical perspective, it has sparked a divide between those who believe the team must come first and those who recognize that some moments in sport are larger than a single ladder position.
Beyond the drama at Victoria Park, Round 9 has served as a showcase for the evolving nature of the modern player. From Isaac Heeney’s total-ground dominance to the rapid ascent of Logan Morris, the league is seeing a shift toward versatile, high-impact athletes who defy traditional positional labels. Meanwhile, at Moorabbin, St Kilda finds itself at a crossroads, nursing critical injuries just as their season begins to teeter.
The Pendlebury Paradox: Legacy vs. The Win
The backlash against Collingwood’s management of Scott Pendlebury reflects a broader philosophical clash within the AFL. To critics, resting a premier midfielder during a finals scrap—especially after a bruising 54-point loss to Geelong—suggests a prioritization of the individual over the collective. However, dual-premiership Kangaroo champion David King has stepped in to defend the Magpies, arguing that Pendlebury’s milestone “needs to be an iconic moment for our code.”
King’s perspective is that the long-term value of celebrating such a rare feat outweighs the short-term “pain” of a missing star in a single round. There is also a pragmatic side to the decision; the commercial draw of a record-breaking game in front of a capacity MCG crowd is an undeniable asset for the league and the club. With Darcy Moore recently sidelined by concussion, the Pies are forced to lean on their younger core, a transition that coach Craig McRae must navigate regardless of Pendlebury’s status.
Yet, the tactical void is glaring. When Pendlebury is absent, the Magpies’ midfield has looked vulnerable. In their previous outing without him against Hawthorn, Collingwood was outperformed in contested possessions by 29 and clearances by 16. Jack Riewoldt, the Richmond great, noted that Pendlebury’s high football IQ and composure are nearly impossible to replace on a week-to-week basis, throwing “chaos into the mix” for McRae’s planning.
The Rise of the ‘Whole Ground’ Superstar
While Collingwood grapples with the end of an era, Sydney is witnessing the peak of one. Isaac Heeney is currently operating in a stratosphere few players have ever occupied. Labelled by Riewoldt as the “best whole ground player in the competition,” Heeney’s ability to shift from a dominant midfield presence to a lethal forward is the engine room of the Swans’ success.
Heeney’s 2026 numbers are a testament to this versatility, averaging 25.7 disposals and two goals per game. His impact is most evident in his efficiency; in a recent masterclass against North Melbourne, one in every three of his touches directly resulted in a Sydney score. This follows a 2025 season where he achieved the rare feat of leading the club in goalkicking while winning the best and fairest—a milestone previously reached only by legends Tony Lockett, Adam Goodes, and Barry Hall.
There is a lingering sense that Heeney’s brilliance is understated because he exists outside the “Melbourne bubble.” Analysts suggest that if he played for a Victorian powerhouse, his name would be mentioned in the same breath as Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli daily. As it stands, he remains the cornerstone of Dean Cox’s ladder-leading side, redefining what it means to be a utility player in the modern era.
| Player | Key 2026 Metric | Defining Attribute | Career Milestone/Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Heeney | 25.7 Disposals / 2 Goals avg | Whole-ground versatility | Elite B&F / Leading Goal-kicker (2025) |
| Logan Morris | 21 Goals (8 games) | Forward craft & strength | Dual Premiership player at 21 |
| S. Pendlebury | Highest-rated Pies player | Elite IQ & Composure | Approaching all-time games record |
The Unheralded Ascent of Logan Morris
If Heeney is the established superstar, Logan Morris is the league’s most exciting revelation. The 21-year-old, who slipped to Pick 31 in the 2023 draft, has evolved into what Garry Lyon describes as the “forward line version of Nick Daicos.”
Morris has displayed a remarkable scoring rate, booting 98 goals in just 53 matches. His ability to outplay All-Australian defenders, such as Jacob Weitering, stems from a blend of power and a sophisticated “forward craft” reminiscent of Jack Gunston. Alastair Lynch noted that Morris doesn’t rely on overwhelming size, but rather on an innate ability to create space through leading work and precision conversion.
For the Brisbane Lions, Morris represents the future of their attacking potency. His rapid development from a Werribee prospect to a dual-premiership player suggests a ceiling that could see him become one of the premier forwards of the decade.
St Kilda’s Fragile Fortnight
At the other end of the spectrum, St Kilda is facing a crisis of depth. Following a disappointing collapse against Gold Coast in the humid conditions of Darwin, Ross Lyon’s side is staring down a critical three-week stretch against Richmond, Hawthorn, and Sydney.
The Saints are currently managing two significant injury concerns:
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera: The $2 million superstar was a late withdrawal from the Darwin trip due to a corked leg. Scans revealed some bleeding, leading the club to opt for a conservative approach to ensure he is “cherry-ripe” for the coming weeks.
- Callum Wilkie: The defensive pillar suffered a heavy knee to the back from Ben King, forcing him out of the second half of the Gold Coast match. While not deemed serious, his absence would leave a gaping hole in the Saints’ backline.
With a 4-5 record, the Saints cannot afford a prolonged absence of their two most influential players. The next fortnight will determine whether St Kilda has the resilience to stay in the hunt or if these “curious” injury blows will derail their season.
The focus now shifts to the immediate horizon: Collingwood’s battle at the SCG without their veteran anchor, and St Kilda’s desperate need for a clean bill of health before they face Richmond. Official team selections for the upcoming round will provide the first definitive answer on the availability of Wanganeen-Milera and Wilkie.
Do you think Collingwood is right to prioritize Pendlebury’s milestone over a must-win game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or share this story.
