Footy great Scott Pendlebury lands a new job – and it could be a big clue to what he’ll do when he finally retires
In a potential look into his future, footy legend Scott Pendlebury has joined the Channel Seven commentary team for the remainder of the AFL finals.
The announcement comes as the Collingwood midfielder, 36, earnt a contract extension last month after speculation he had come to the end of his long career.
Remarkably, next season will be Pendlebury’s 20th in the AFL – all with the Magpies – after making his debut in 2006.
A dual premiership player and former captain, ‘Pendles’ is just one of six players to chalk up 400 career first-grade appearances.
Pendlebury will appear on the free-to-air network the next two Thursday nights, where he will offer his insights ahead of the preliminary finals and grand final.
‘The month of September is undoubtedly the best period in the AFL calendar,’ he said.
‘We have never seen a tighter competition and there will be a lot to discuss across the three upcoming games.
‘To reach ultimate success a lot needs to go in your favour, every moment matters. I can’t wait to see where it lands this season.’
7NEWS Melbourne’s director of news Chris Salter said Pendlebury has ‘an incredible football brain’ and ‘no one is more qualified’ to talk finals footy.
In May, Pendlebury confirmed his intention to pursue coaching once he eventually hangs up his boots.
The past couple of years he has worked as an assistant under Essendon great Matthew Lloyd at the elite Haileybury College in Melbourne – and has thrived as part of the school’s football program.
‘That’s my passion; I love being around the football environment with the young kids who are trying to get better,’ he told 7 News.
‘After I do retire, I want travel and go look at soccer, NFL, basketball and other sports around the world… and then come back in really fresh.
‘Because I feel like I’m the sort of guy that once I come back I’ll be pretty driven and on a mission to get to where I want to get to.’
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