Not even Gary Ablett can produce such an all-round game, mainly because Gazza doesn’t tackle as much as Pendlebury. Pendlebury had an array of opponents — Josh Kennedy, Parker, Nick Smith, Ben McGlynn and Dan Hannebery — but none of them lasted more than 20 minutes. The Swans will most likely regret clamping down on the Magpies skipper. It’s not solely about stats. It’s about influence with the ball and inspiration for his teammates. Take Pendlbury’s goal in the second quarter. Trailing 38-23, Pendlebury gathered the ball on the wing, went back to Maxwell with the handball, Maxwell went back to Pendlebury, who baulked, went one-two again and ran in to kick the goal, albeit wobbly because of sheer exhaustion. The Pies were back to within nine points and that’s when the collective belief kicked in. Champs are in abundance in the competition, particularly in the midfield. Gold Coast’s Ablett remains the standout and four trail him: Joel Selwood, Jobe Watson, Pendlebury and Patrick Dangerfield. Brisbane great Michael Voss and former coach and player Terry Wallace were asked on SEN Radio on Saturday to rank those four. Voss went Selwood, Pendlebury, Watson, Dangerfield. Wallace went Pendlebury, Selwood, Watson, Dangerfield. Voss and Wallace described their inner strength, will power and an immeasurable ability to pick up their teammates and elevate them to greater powers. Pendlebury’s game against the Swans later that day could not be summed up any better.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 07:34:41 +0000