Collingwood vice-captain Scott Pendlebury formalised his one-year contract extension on Friday, signing a deal to keep him in black and white stripes until the end of the 2012 season.

Pendlebury spoke to CTV after he signed and stated his decision to continue his career at the club was never in question.

“It’s really exciting that I am going to be here until the end of next year,” Pendlebury said on Friday.

“I am really happy at the football club and hopefully we have a lot of success coming.

“All along I knew I was going to stay here,” he added.

The 23-year-old agreed to a one-year deal in light of the new collective bargaining agreement due to be negotiated between the AFL and the AFLPA in coming months.  

“With the CBA yet to get sorted out it gives me the best opportunity to secure the best deal for myself next year.

“We have been working through the contract for four or five months now.  It wasn’t like we sat down this week and signed this week.  It’s been in the works for awhile.”

Pendlebury highlighted the signings of teammates Harry O’Brien, Nick Maxwell and Dane Swan as an important step for the club to repeat its premiership success.

“It’s four guys out of the leadership group who have signed so it gives us a good nucleus going forward and hopefully some exciting times as well.”

Tweeting the news last night, Pendlebury said the response from the Magpie Army has been overwhelming.

“They enjoyed that I shared it with them first.  All the fans were excited to hear the news.”

On Scott Pendlebury
In just his sixth season in the AFL after being selected by the Magpies with the fifth overall pick in the 2005 draft, Pendlebury has established himself as one of the game’s elite midfielders.
 
He played a huge part in Collingwood winning its first premiership in 20 years last year, culminating in his outstanding Norm Smith Medal-winning performance in the Grand Final Replay triumph.
 
Pendlebury also won his first All Australian guernsey last year, and finished second in the Copeland Trophy voting, his third top-three finish already.
 
The former Gippsland Power under 18 player and AIS scholarship basketballer, who hails from Sale in south-east Victoria, has played 109 career games, including all seven so far in 2011.
 
He is averaging 28 disposals per game in 2011, ranking him seventh in the competition. Pendlebury is second at Collingwood this season for disposals, contested possessions, tackles and clearances.