Over the next month collingwoodfc.com.au will be looking at several potential Magpie contenders for the 2009 All-Australian team.  This week’s “Magpie for All-Australian” features Scott Pendlebury .  Click here to view past Collingwood players and officials awarded All-Australian honours.

In his fourth season at the club, Scott Pendlebury is quickly emerging as one of the competition’s elite midfielders.

The 21-year is averaging career highs in disposals, inside 50s, tackles and clearances.

Pendlebury’s place in this year’s All-Australian team will pit him against the best of the AFL due to the fact that he will be nominated in a midfield position.

The standout statistic which places the Magpie midfielder inside the elite bracket of the AFL is his disposal efficiency.  Pendlebury uses the ball with 79.6% effectiveness, higher than Brownlow medal favourites including Gary Ablett, Chris Judd, Nick Dal Santo, Joel Selwood and Adam Goodes.

In this week’s ‘Magpie for All Australian’ Pendlebury’s 2009 season will be compared to Carlton’s Chris Judd.

 Scott PendleburyChris Judd
Games20*22
Disposals26.926.3
Marks5.22.4
Tackles3.44.6
I 503.45.9
CP%29.741.1
C4.45.6
SL**3752
*Includes the Round 12 match against Sydney when Pendlebury was injured in the opening five minutes and was forced to come off.

**Score launches (player involved in an unbroken chain to score)

Pendlebury has particularly impressed this year with his ability to rise above his opponent to maintain his impact on the game.

The midfielder has received close attention from some of the toughest players in the competition including Bryce Gibbs, Joel Selwood, Adam Selwood, Brad Sewell and Simon Black.

From his 20 matches this season, Pendlebury has had a lower disposal difference against the opposition on four occasions. 

The matches include Geelong (Round 3), Sydney (12), Hawthorn (16) and Adelaide (19).  The combined difference of disposals is -11. 

While Judd might receive closer attention than Pendlebury, the fact remains the 2004 Brownlow medalist has had a lower disposal difference in eight matches this season with a combined disposal difference of 44. 

The table below depicts how Pendlebury and Judd have performed against the same opponents this season.

 PendleburyJudd
Andrew WelshRd14 (31mins) - 5d, 0m, 1cRd13 (84mins) - -4d, -3m, -1c
Brad SewellRd16 (33mins) - 1d, 3m, 2cRd 6 (61mins) - -7d, -4m, -4c

The 2009 Four’N Twenty All Australian team will be named on Monday September 14.

Previous "Magpie for All-Australians" have featured Alan Didak, Harry O’Brien, Nick Maxwell  and Simon Prestigiacomo.

Next “Magpie for All-Australian” segment will highlight the 2009 efforts of Dane Swan.