COLLINGWOOD midfielder Scott Pendlebury has returned to training on Monday a little over a day after an alleged king hit left him unconscious.
The 21-year-old sustained cuts to his face and damage to his teeth after he was allegedly hit from behind in an unprovoked attack at approximately 1.30am on Sunday in the Victorian country town of Lakes Entrance.
He was kept in Bairnsdale hospital under observation before being released on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies vice-captain, who returned from the club's high-altitude camp in Arizona the Wednesday before the alleged assault, was happy to be back training.
"It was good to put the weekend behind me, get back into the first session after returning from Arizona, and move forward," Pendlebury told collingwoodfc.com.au
"I felt good and I got through the whole session."
"Now I just want to focus on training up until Christmas, and then having a break, before getting back into it in 2010."
A 20-year-old Lakes Entrance man was charged with intentionally causing serious injury, recklessly causing serious injury and unlawful assault following the incident and will face Bairnsdale Magistrates' Court in March.
POLICE have charged a 20-year-old Lakes Entrance man over a king hit on Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The alleged offender, who has been charged with recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and unlawful assault will appear in Bairnsdale Magistrates' Court in March.
In a statement released this morning, the Magpies confirmed Pendlebury - who was out with his brother Kris and friends - was leaving the Central Hotel in Lakes Entrance when he was hit from behind at approximately 1.30am.
The 21-year-old was knocked unconscious after his head hit the pavement and was taken to Bairnsdale hospital.
Tests cleared the classy midfielder of any major injuries but he suffered damage to his teeth and cuts to his face as a result of the incident.
Pendlebury was let out of hospital this afternoon and will return to Melbourne on Monday to see the club doctor.
WINTER Olympic gold medallist Alisa Camplin has joined Collingwood's seven-member board of directors.
Camplin, who won an aerial skiing gold medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games before claiming a bronze medal at Turin four years later, is a senior executive at IBM and contributes to several sporting administrations including the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, the Australian Sports Foundation and is the Deputy Chair for the Australian Sports Commission.
"When the opportunity was there to combine somebody of Alisa's talents as a member of the AOC (Australian Olympic Committee), the Australian Sports Commission and as an Olympic veteran we jumped on it," Magpies president Eddie McGuire said.
"Throw in the fact that she is a senior executive at IBM and understands the corporate world better than any sportsperson I have ever met."
"Alisa has been somebody who has been a backroom contributor of the club for a number of years. Not only as a paid up member but also as somebody who has spoken at corporate events for us. She actually trained on the Lexus Centre floor with our players as part of her Olympic preparations."
"She is a recently retired Olympic athlete. We now have somebody who knows how to train here at the highest level and understands the team aspects."
A Pies supporter since the age of five, Camplin said she would bring a diversity of opinion to the club and believes a female’s perspective is important to be present at board level.
"To understand and work across all levels of an elite sports system gives me a unique insight into what's going on in sport in Australia and around the world and what is required to win at the highest level," Camplin said.
"Watching our last two grand final campaigns overseas, where we didn't get over the line, has made me all the more determined to get that premiership within the next two years. I am a very results driven lady."
Camplin fills the position vacated by Sally Capp who will move to London at the end of the year to serve as Victoria’s first female Agent-General.
COLLINGWOOD recruit Luke Ball says it's a 'huge relief' to have been drafted by the Magpies.
The former St Kilda skipper had sought a trade to the Pies but a deal wasn't able to be struck during trade week which prompted him to nominate for the national draft.
There was widespread speculation that Melbourne, Essendon or Brisbane would take Ball before Collingwood's first pick in Thursday night's draft but they all opted for younger players, leaving the Magpies free to get their man at pick 30.
The 25-year-old watched the draft on television at home with former teammate Matt Maguire who was taken by the Brisbane Lions.
Ball admitted to experiencing the same emotion he felt when he first entered the draft in 2001.
"I thought I wasn't nervous, but as soon as the telecast came on and they started reading out a few names I felt like I was 17 again," Ball said.
"When (Collingwood recruiting manager) Derek Hine called out my name there was a bit of relief and then I sat around with my fingers crossed for Matt as well because it would of been disappointing if he didn't get another chance. Really rapt for him as well, he's worked super hard...for him to get another chance is great."
The hard-nut midfielder said he didn't harbour any feelings of 'bitterness' or 'resentment' towards the Saints.
"I had eight fantastic years at the club ... but I guess after eight years I basically felt like I needed a fresh start and a fresh opportunity," he said.
"That's a pretty simple way to put it, isn't it? Maybe when the dust settles a bit I'll be able to explain it a bit better but I'm grateful to Collingwood for giving me an opportunity."
Ball was in and out of the St Kilda side this year and became frustrated with his lack of game time but said he held no ill-feeling towards Saints coach Ross Lyon.
"I've got absolutely nothing but respect and thanks for Ross and the work he put into me in his time there at the club," Ball said.
"I absolutely wish him and the club all the best for next year and the future."
Ball said he was 'supremely confident' that his best football was ahead of him.
"Looking back I've probably only really ever done one full pre-season, if I'm going to be honest about it," he said.
"So I'm really confident that, provided I want to do the work, which I'm pretty sure that I do, that I've still got some good footy left in me."
Ball, who said he will remain life-long friends with many of his former teammates, will now join his new teammates in Arizona for high-altitude training.
COLLINGWOOD defender Shannon Cox has retired from AFL football at the tender age of 23.
Magpies football operations manager Geoff Walsh said Cox had lost the motivation to play the game.
"Shannon returned from the post-season break and decided that he no longer had the desire and hunger to commit to the demands of AFL football," Walsh said.
"We fully expected Shannon to be part of our 2010 list however we respect his decision to retire and wish him well."
Originally recruited from WAFL club South Fremantle, Cox played 25 games for the Pies after being promoted to the senior list at the end of 2006.
COLLINGWOOD has signed American Seamus McNamara on a two-year international rookie contract.
The 24-year-old Milwaukee native, who played four seasons of division one collegiate basketball in the US for Marist University in New York before playing one season of professional basketball in Germany for TSV Dachau Spurs, sent a video audition to the Magpies in the hope of being trialled at an AFL club.
The Pies were able to facilitate some testing in California and then invited the 204cm, 104kg athlete to Melbourne for a two-week trial which was extended to three weeks.
It was on the back of McNamara's performance during the trial period that Collingwood elected to sign him.
Magpies national recruiting manager Derek Hine said McNamara had the potential to be a key forward or ruck option.
"Seamus comes to the club with a unique skill set, having played basketball at an elite level and participated at a state level in soccer while at school," Hine said.
"He is very driven and has impressed everyone at the club with his work ethic, and given Seamus’ experiences at playing elite level sport we feel that he is deserving of the opportunity to forge a career in the AFL."
COLLINGWOOD has appointed former West Coast, Sydney and Fremantle midfielder Scott Watters as an assistant coach.
Watters, who was also being chased by North Melbourne, will be in charge of the Magpies' backline and work alongside former St Kilda defender Max Hudghton who was named as a part-time defensive coach on Monday.
The 40-year-old guided WAFL club Subiaco to premierships in 2007 and 2008 and coached the WAFL state representative side to wins over Queensland and South Australia in the past two years.
He replaces Blake Caracella who recently left the Pies to take up an assistant coaching role with Geelong.
Recruited from South Fremantle at the end of 1988 by West Coast, Watters played 109 games of AFL football from 1989-96, firstly for the Eagles (1989-‘92; 46 games, including the 1991 grand final), then Sydney (1993, ‘94; 37 games) and Fremantle (1995, ‘96; 26 games).
FORMER St Kilda defender Max Hudghton has joined Collingwood as a part-time defensive coach.
The 33-year-old, who missed out on playing in the grand final against Geelong, announced his retirement after 234 games at the Saints' post-grand final family day function.
Hudghton told the Magpies' website that he was excited by his new role.
"To be able to be involved in football to some extent and particularly to work with Mick (Malthouse) and the Collingwood Football Club will be a big change," Hudghton said.
"But it’s very exciting to be moving into a different environment, and move out of my comfort zone at St Kilda."
"St Kilda people are fantastic people, but this is very exciting for me."
Hudghton admitted he hadn't thought about getting into coaching before the Pies approached him as he was focused on his construction business but said the opportunity was too good to refuse.
“I just thought it was a really good role, to get involved with some of the young Collingwood defenders and influence their development," he said.
“I’m aware of the players I’ll be working with and I’ve got a lot of respect for the way they play. Hopefully I can help them out in a really positive way, and be a source of knowledge if they want to tap into it.”
Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse believes Hudghton will be an excellent resource for the club's young defenders.
“Max has played terrific football against all the key tall forwards in his career and has vast knowledge of them,” Malthouse said.
“As he demonstrated to us, he’s able to articulate the way he played, and that’s important if you’re going to be a teacher."
“Through the conversations we’ve had with Max, I’ve been able to establish that he knows his trade, and he’s quite prepared and capable of passing his knowledge onto young players.”
Hudghton replaces Mark Neeld who will be the club's midfield coach while Paul Hudson moves from forwards to opposition and Nathan Buckley will be in charge of the forwards in his first year as an assistant.
Meanwhile, the Magpies announced that ruckman Chris Bryan, midfielder Danny Stanley and rookie-listed players Toby Thoolen, Johnny Bennell and Kevin Dyas were delisted.
COLLINGWOOD has secured the services of Sydney ruckman Darren Jolly.
Under the deal agreed on Wednesday night, the Swans will receive the Magpies' first-round draft pick - number 14 overall - and pick 46 in return for Jolly who wanted to return to Victoria for family reasons.
Sydney coach Paul Roos said the club was disappointed to lose Jolly but respected his decision to return home.
"We would have loved him to stay, but we also get where he's at in his life," Roos said.
The Swans snared West Coast's Mark Seaby on the first day of trade week and are keen to add a second ruckman to their list – promising Geelong youngster Shane Mumford the prime target.
Roos said Mumford wanted to joined the club.
"He's indicated to us that he'll come to the club and we obviously hope to complete a trade with the Geelong Football Club and we intend to work with them on Thursday and see what we can do," he said.
Jolly was taken with pick 31 in the 2000 rookie draft and played 48 games at Melbourne before joining Sydney.
He spent five seasons at the Swans and was a member of the club's 2005 premiership side.
The acquisition of Jolly increases speculation that Collingwood will trade Josh Fraser as the Magpies will want to continue to nurture young ruckman Cameron Wood.
COLLINGWOOD star Dane Swan has claimed his second straight EW Copeland Tropy at the Crown Casino on Friday night.
The hard-working midfielder, who played all 25 matches and averaged 30 disposals per game, polled 57 votes to win the Magpies' best-and-fairest award ahead of skipper and fellow All-Australian Nick Maxwell (48).
The win sees Swan join illustrious company - only 12 players in the club's history before him including the likes of of club legends Bob Rose, Murray Weideman, Len Thompson and Nathan Buckley have won the award back-to-back.
Heath Shaw finished third ahead of fellow defender Harry O'Brien despite the pair both polling 43 votes.
Under the club’s voting system, players that are tied for votes at the end of counting are separated on a games-played basis.
Alan Didak rounded out the top five with 41 votes.
In other awards, promising young midfielder Dayne Beams won the best first-year player award, O'Brien was named best clubman, Maxwell and Shaw shared the best player in finals award and John Anthony took home the leading goal kicker award.
2009 Copeland Trophy Top 10
Dane Swan, 57 votes (EW Copeland Trophy)
Nick Maxwell, 48 votes (RT Rush Trophy)
Heath Shaw, 43 votes (JJ Joyce Trophy)
Harry O’Brien, 43 votes (JF McHale Trophy)
Alan Didak, 41 votes (Jack Regan Trophy)
Scott Pendlebury, 41 votes
Tarkyn Lockyer, 39 votes
Leon Davis, 38 votes
Simon Prestigiacomo, 37 votes
Shane O’Bree, 36 votes
Joseph Wren Trophy (Best VFL Player): Ryan Cook
Darren Millane Trophy (Best Clubman): Heritier O’Brien
Harry Collier Trophy (Best First Year Player): Dayne Beams
Gordon Coventry Trophy (Leading Goal Kicker): John Anthony, 50 goals
Gavin Brown Award (Leading Desire Indicators): Nick Maxwell
Bob Rose Award (Best Player in Finals): Nick Maxwell and Heath Shaw
Phonse Kyne Trophy (For Services to the Club): Anne Martin
September 24th 2009 07:35
IRISHMAN Martin Clarke has elected not to seek a newplaying contract with Collingwood and will return home after three seasons with the Magpies.
Clarke joined the Pies at the end of 2006 from County Down on a two-year international rookie contract..
The 21-year-old made his AFL debut in round 12, 2007 against Sydney after being temporarily elevated to the senior list due to a long-term injury, and earned a permanent spot on the senior list for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
The last of Clarke's 46 games was against the Swans in round 12 this year and he was named as an emergency for the preliminary final against Geelong.
Clarke said homesickness and a 'burning' desire to be a teacher were behind his decision to leave the Magpies.
"My decision to return home was not an easy one. But I simply miss my home and the people close to me too much. I also have a burning desire to be a teacher and I want to start that stage of my life as soon as possible," Clarke said in a statement on the club's website.
"I am also looking forward to playing Gaelic football again. I strongly believe my best moments of my sporting life are ahead of me and at this stage and I want to show them on the GAA stage."
Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh thanked Clarke for his contribution and commitment to the club.
"He’s an outstanding talent who is very highly regarded by his peers and everyone at the club, and he will be missed," Walsh said.
"I'm sure Marty will be successful in his future endeavours, and on behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to wish him the very best back in Ireland."
September 21st 2009 07:34
COLLINGWOOD forward Anthony Rocca has announced his retirement from AFL football after 242 games.
Rocca informed coach Mick Malthouse and teammates on Monday that he would hang up the boots.
The 32-year-old was restricted to just four games during 2009 due to ankle and Achilles injuries.
His last match was the Magpies' qualifying final loss to St Kilda three weeks ago.
Taken by Sydney in the 1994 national draft, Rocca spent two years at the Swans before being traded to Collingwood.
Rocca, who kicked 415 goals during his career, booted 404 goals in 220 games for Pies and led the club's goalkicking on four occasions.
He sits eighth on the all-time Collingwood goalkicking list and only 16 players have played more games for the Magpies.
Rocca said he was very proud of what he was able to achieve during his 14 seasons at the elite level and that he was lucky to have played alongside so many great players.
"Beginning in Sydney and playing alongside men the calibre of Paul Kelly, Tony Lockett, Paul Roos and Michael O’Loughlin was a huge privilege," Rocca said.
"Then to move to Collingwood and be alongside the likes of Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns, Gavin Brown, Graham Wright and particularly my brother Saverio, I am very fortunate."
Rocca also said the 2002 grand final in which he booted four of his side's nine goals in the nine-point loss to Brisbane was a bittersweet memory.
"Playing in the 2002 grand final was a highlight, but also one of the lowlights, but I'll always remember that opportunity," he said.
Malthouse said Rocca was an important member of the club.
"I think we'll always be mindful of the fact that, in the 2002 grand final, he produced a herculean effort, and he almost got us over the line," Malthouse said.
"Unfortunately for us the following year he wasn't there in the grand final, and it was probably pretty reflective of the score line, and in many respects tells us how important he was to the football club."
Rocca added that he was interested in following in the footsteps of his older brother Saverio who is a punter for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.
"Looking to life after footy, I want to take some time off, first of all take a holiday and go and visit my brother in the US," he said.
"I'm keen to try and get into the punting scene in the NFL, and I'll try my best to get a job in that arena, but if not I wouldn't mind doing some sort of part-time coaching role in the AFL. I'd love to stay at Collingwood because I love the place, it would be good to work behind the scenes."
TonyK
Cibbuano
Add Comments
