AFL News: Pendlebury Fined After Tribunal, Gulden Out Four Months, and Player Updates

Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury successfully challenged a one-match suspension for rough conduct, instead receiving a $3,000 fine. This keeps him on track for the all-time games record.
Sydney Swans midfielder Errol Gulden faces a four-month recovery after shoulder surgery.
The league also featured strong individual performances, including Jacob van Rooyen's six-goal haul and discussions on St Kilda's strategic use of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.

Scott Pendlebury Receives Fine, Avoids Suspension

Collingwood's veteran Scott Pendlebury was initially issued a one-match ban by the AFL's match review officer, Michael Christian. The charge stemmed from an incident of rough conduct involving Crow Josh Worrell in the fourth quarter of Adelaide’s victory. The match review panel had classified the contact as careless, medium impact, and high contact, although Worrell completed the game.

Collingwood swiftly challenged the proposed ban at the AFL Tribunal. Pendlebury, aged 38, anchored his defense on his unblemished 427-game career, free of any prior suspensions. He argued that contact with Worrell was unavoidable while pursuing a loose ball and that he braced for impact to mitigate a more severe collision, denying any intention to injure.

The AFL’s representative, Albert Dinelli KC, contended that Pendlebury deliberately chose to bump rather than brace. Conversely, Collingwood advocate Myles Tehan described the charge as 'borderline' and not a 'bump case.'

Following the tribunal hearing, the charge of rough conduct was ultimately upheld. However, Tribunal Chairman Jeff Gleeson KC made a significant decision, downgrading the penalty from a one-match suspension to a $3,000 fine.

Gleeson cited "exceptional and compelling circumstances," specifically Pendlebury's unprecedented disciplinary record over 21 seasons, as the basis for this reduction.

He highlighted that the act was careless but not at the high end, Pendlebury made an effort to reduce impact, and no injury resulted from the incident. This marks the first time Pendlebury has faced the tribunal in his lengthy career, though he has received three fines since 2022.

The tribunal's decision ensures Pendlebury is available for Collingwood's upcoming match against Greater Western Sydney on March 27. This outcome is crucial as it keeps him on track to potentially equal Brent Harvey's AFL/VFL games record of 432 on Anzac Day, maintaining an uninterrupted pursuit of history.

Sydney Swans' Errol Gulden Faces Extended Absence Due to Shoulder Injury

Sydney Swans midfielder Errol Gulden is facing a significant setback, expected to miss four months of play following a dislocated shoulder. The unfortunate injury occurred during the Swans' round one victory over the Brisbane Lions, and Gulden is slated for surgery later this week.

This latest injury follows a challenging previous season where Gulden missed half of the games due to a fractured ankle. His value to the team was evident last year: in his absence, the Swans managed just five wins from 13 games; upon his return, they surged, winning seven of their final 10 matches, with Gulden averaging an impressive 27 disposals per game.

The 23-year-old had started the current season strongly, averaging 24 disposals, nearly 10 tackles, and six inside-50s in the first two rounds. He is widely considered a key component of the Swans' midfield. Former Essendon player Matthew Lloyd endorsed the decision for surgery, emphasizing the necessity of intervention for repeated dislocations to ensure a player's readiness for finals contention.

In additional injury news for the Swans, the club is also awaiting scan results for teammate Isaac Heeney, who recently experienced a tight hamstring.

Player Performances and Team Dynamics

Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen delivered a sensational performance, kicking a career-best six goals, with five of them coming in the first half during the team's victory over St Kilda. Van Rooyen, who had never previously kicked more than four goals in a game, admitted to experiencing "jitters" after such strong starts. He described his previous season as difficult, marked by being dropped multiple times and facing considerable pressure as a key forward.

Christian Petracca, now playing for Gold Coast, reportedly connected van Rooyen with a sports psychologist. Petracca himself has started strongly with Gold Coast, contributing to two victories, including a four-goal, 23-disposal effort against West Coast.

Melbourne has seen significant roster and coaching changes, with Simon Goodwin replaced by Steven King, and the departures of Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver (traded), and Steven May (retired). Teammate Christian Salem noted that the team is adapting to these changes, suggesting a new system and cleaner ball delivery could benefit van Rooyen and other forwards. Van Rooyen himself acknowledged a "fresh" feeling at the club under King and expressed an aim for finals this year. Melbourne's next game is against the Dockers at Optus Stadium.

Discussions have emerged regarding St Kilda player Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's performance and the club's strategy for his role. Notably, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon granted Wanganeen-Milera a "licence to go anywhere" when tagged against Melbourne, allowing him to determine his own positioning. Lyon pointed out that the opposing player was cramping during the game, and Wanganeen-Milera capitalized, producing a three-goal output.

Former player Matthew Riewoldt cautioned against expecting Wanganeen-Milera to be a "messiah," describing his development as a "learning curve." Riewoldt also raised concerns regarding the "licence to run freely" approach, questioning how it might be perceived among other team members.

Additional Match Review Sanctions

In other match review findings, Brisbane's Charlie Cameron was issued a $2,000 fine for rough conduct against Brodie Grundy.

Additional players who received fines for various incidents include:

• Sam Wicks (Sydney)
• Harvey Thomas (GWS)
• Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
• James Peatling (Adelaide)
• Neil Erasmus (Fremantle)