Watson: Games record puts Pendles in GOAT conversation

If Scott Pendlebury breaks the V/AFL all-time games record, will he enter GOAT consideration?

SEN’s Tim Watson thinks it’s a real possibility that Pendlebury ends up as the game’s greatest by the time his career is said and done, should he add that accolade to his already immense resume.

The 38-year-old has played 426 games so far, needing just seven more games to pass current record holder Brent Harvey, who finished up with 432 games to his name.

Already a two-time premiership player, Norm Smith Medallist, six-time All-Australian and five-time best and fairest winner, Pendlebury has one of the best CVs in league history, but it’s his consistency and longevity over two decades at the top level that stands out the most.

Watson discussed Pendles’ legacy with his co-host Garry Lyon on SEN Breakfast, with the duo agreeing he must be considered in the ‘greatest ever’ conversation.

Watson: “Just looking at the record of Scott Pendlebury. There’s 19 times that he has finished in the top 10 of the best and fairest, and I think there's 13 times he's finished in the top three in their BnF.

“He's won the BnF five times, he's been a two-time premiership player, he may break the game's record and should do that… at that point, should we be stating that he is the greatest player that’s ever played the game?”

Lyon: “Very much to be considered in the conversation.”

Watson: “That's not necessarily the best, but the greatest.”

Lyon: “I haven't got him as the best, or the greatest, I’ve seen. In terms of longevity, he obviously sits at the very top of the tree, but I’ve got other players as better than him.

“But I mean, you're talking about him in that conversation 100 per cent. That record is as good as any record. Especially over a period of time.”

Watson: “That level of consistency…

Lyon: “Where do you have him?”

Watson: “Well, I think we've got to have him in the conversation. If he gets to that point and he adds that accolade (games record) to the rest of his career, I think we've got to have a conversation about whether or not he is the greatest player that ever played the game.

“I think if he gets the game's record, then I think that we could claim him as the best player the game has ever seen.”

Pendlebury wowed for the Magpies in game 426, picking up 26 disposals and a career-high five goal assists in Collingwood’s 12-point Opening Round win over St Kilda.

He’s set to play game 427 against Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night.