David King believes Scott Pendlebury must have a big game on-ball against Brisbane on Friday night at Marvel Stadium for Collingwood to win.
The 378-gamer is still performing at a high level in his 18th AFL season as he averages 22.8 disposals, 4.4 tackles and 3.8 clearances a game.
The smooth-moving midfielder has been used in a variety of roles this season but has spent more time at stoppages in recent weeks as he attended 74 per cent of centre bounces in last Friday’s win over Geelong.
While Pendlebury is back to playing an inside role, King believes he needs to have more of an impact at clearance as the Magpies have struggled in the middle across the last three weeks.
“In the gun for me is a man who's played 378 games, Scott Pendlebury,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“He's still getting his touches. He’s still doing what he's probably asked to do. He's probably playing his role.
“But I'm really critical of what's happening at centre bouncers with Collingwood because I think that's where they're giving so much advantage to the opposition in recent weeks.
“I look at Scott now this season and he's winning 33 per cent of his ball in a contest. That's not him.
“I picture this guy being the brute around clearances and around contest.
“He's in it all centre bouncers. He averages four clearances a game this year. So, it's sort of muddling sort of numbers.
“He’s averaging six score involvements, 3.5 inside 50s a game. The numbers are ok.”
With Collingwood’s main centre clearance player Jordan De Goey and young superstar Nick Daicos both out of Friday’s game, King says Pendlebury must recapture his best footy if the Magpies are to put up a fight against the Lions.
While King has been critical of the veteran’s lack of speed, he’s certain he can lead the way and take control in the middle with a big performance.
“But tonight, there's no (Jordan) De Goey, there's clearly no Nick Daicos. It's time for him to just wind it back and go back to that wrecking ball at clearances that we know he is,” King said.
“I know that the speed may not be there … he’s just allowing the opposition to go first, and he can't recover. His speed is no longer there.
“If your speed is no longer there, get proactive and get after the footy.
“So, for me, they need a performance tonight and they don't just need it tonight, they need Scott Pendlebury to take control again for the next three to four weeks and the big games in September.
“He needs to lead the way and I think he can do that, but tonight he's in the gun.”
The bounce for Friday’s game at Marvel Stadium is set for 7:50 pm (AEST).
A win would sew up the minor premiership for Craig McRae’s side with another game remaining.