COLLINGWOOD'S premiership campaign in coming seasons received a boost with midfielders Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury both signing contracting extensions to remain in the black and white.
Both players were tied to the club until the end of 2010, but the Magpies and the star duo were keen to lock in a partnership beyond those agreed terms.
Collingwood fans can now be assured of watching their key ballwinners until at least the end of the 2011 season.
Swan, last year’s Copeland Trophy winner, and Pendlebury, one of the AFL’s elite young midfielders and a runner-up in the NAB Rising Star Award in 2007, have become the driving force in the team's engine room.
Perhaps most pleasingly for Magpie fans, both are yet to enter their prime football years.
Swan, who last season played his 100th senior match on his way to collecting his first best and fairest, turns 25 later this month.
In 2008 he led his club for total disposals while continuing to do the bulk of his side’s tough work around the packs – also leading the Magpies in contested possessions.
Meanwhile, the silky-skilled Pendlebury continues to develop into the Rolls Royce of the Pies' midfield.
His slick evasive skills and neat left foot provide the polish in the Collingwood midfield and, at just 21, those at the Lexus Centre can look forward to watching him further blossom in coming seasons.
Both men will also work closely with each other in 2009, not only through the Magpies’ midfield, but also as members of the new-look leadership group at Collingwood.
Pendlebury is vice-captain to skipper Nick Maxwell and looks headed for bigger things further down the track while Swan is the club’s deputy vice-captain.
To hear what both players have to say about their extensions and how they see season 2009 taking shape, click here.
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