'I've tried to get quicker': Scott Pendlebury's surprise admission in battle with Father Time
Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury may be 36-years-old, but that hasn't stopped the veteran from finding new ways to better his game.
Even in his 20th pre season, the two-time premiership player is reinventing the wheel as he looks to keep his spot in the Pies' best 22 next year.
And he's doing pretty well to fight Father Time.
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As he returned to Pies HQ on Monday, the midfielder joined the majority of the playing list, looking to bounce back to 2023 premiership form after missing the finals in 2024.
As for Pendlebury, it's the perfect time to find the training regime that keeps him motivated and helps him keep up with the youngsters of the group.
Scott Pendlebury is 36. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"I try to find little things to keep me fresh. New ideas, new challenges," he said on Monday.
And what exactly has he been focusing on? Speed, of course.
"I've tried to get quicker. I don't know if you've picked that up today … I thought I might be quicker," he said.
"But I'm always trying to add just little bits to my game … the full bill of health and being able to train straight away, you can do some different stuff."
Scott Pendlebury celebrates a win in game 400 with Lachie Schultz. Getty
Pendlebury says the longer break has been beneficial this pre season, with more time off after missing the top eight.
It has helped the club to reinvent their training plans as it hopes to reduce a long injury list heading into 2025.
"We'll try and use all those extra weeks to our advantage," he said.
But the veteran admitted he'd much prefer playing finals instead of having more time on the sidelines, even if it means less chance to recover before another season.
"Give me the choice, I'd rather be in 2023 coming off a flag and then you've got to get prepped again," Pendlebury said.
"We're back now and some other clubs have still got two weeks off, so any sort of advantage we can get, we're looking forward now to 2025."
The Pies welcomed new draftees onto the training track on Monday as they familiarise themselves with the big league.
