The question that simply won't die: have Collingwood left two wins on the table due to their management of Scott Pendlebury?
Friday night at the SCG, a wounded Collingwood just missed out on a very famous victory, going down to Sydney by a straight goal after jumping out of the blocks and holding a first-half lead.
Of course, Pendlebury, their evergreen champion, was nowhere to be seen, with the club resting him ahead of his AFL record-breaking game next week.
It has been a delicate balance for the club and the 38-year-old star, with Collingwood wanting the record-breaking game to be played at the MCG with full pomp and fanfare.
Pendlebury was also rested in Round 8 when Collingwood drew with Hawthorn. In Round 7 he starred with a 42-disposal, two-goal performance that earned him the best-on-ground medal.
After the match last night, gun 7NEWS sports reporter Xander McGuire just had to ask the question. McGuire is of course a famous Collingwood supporter and son of former club president Eddie McGuire.
"This is going to be one of the big talking points over the next few days," McGuire said. "They draw with Hawthorn when Pendles is out of the game managed. And that was because of a five-day break after Anzac Day. But the question needs to be asked, do you rest him in Anzac Day instead of against Hawthorn? Or do you take him off at half-time in Anzac Day when the game's won?"
"Then tonight, they lose by a goal against Sydney on the road without Pendles as well. Is Scott Pendlebury a net benefit of one goal for every game? Has Collingwood left two wins on the table by managing Scott Pendlebury? That's the question."
AFL expert Kane Cornes has no doubt that Collingwood would have won against Sydney if he had played, and has accused the club of giving up on their season.
"Collingwood gave up on their season ... the season was done when they opted to cook Scott Pendlebury in Anzac Day. That's the reality of it, when you put the individual in front of the team, and you play him 98 per cent in that last quarter, so that he could get 43 (disposals) and win the (Anzac Day) medal."
"And then they rest him the next week against Hawthorn. We know they now they drew that game, then you play him, then you rest, even though they're such crucial games in that three-week window where you've prioritised breaking the record and Anzac Day, instead of winning games of footy."
"So, if Pendlebury plays tonight, if he plays against Hawthorn, there's two extra wins, and Collingwood is sitting with Brisbane in the top six equal on the ladder. And there's no denying that if Pendlebury had played (against Sydney), they win. Pendlebury plays against Hawthorn, they win ... they've given up on the season as a result."
