AFL games record holder makes call on his future

Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury is leaving the club after 21 seasons and will end his glittering AFL career on the Gold Coast.

After a record 442 games since he debuted for the Magpies back in 2006, Pendlebury will be an effective on-field coach for the Suns in 2027.

The 38-year-old missed Collingwood's wildcard-final defeat to the Western Bulldogs due to a hamstring injury.

Pendlebury was hurt early in last week's loss against the Brisbane Lions and would have needed Collingwood to make at least the semi-finals to have been a chance of playing again this season.

Next year will almost certainly be Pendlebury's final season as a player, before he transitions into coaching.

It comes three days after Collingwood coach Craig McRae rated Pendlebury's chances of staying with the Magpies as "50-50".

"Having these conversations with 'Pendles' the last four or five years around what's best for him and what's best for us gives me great comfort that he'll do what is best for the footy club," McRae said.

"He won't go on and play on, in my eyes, unless he can perform at a certain level."

The Magpies formally farewelled fellow two-time premiership hero Steele Sidebottom on Friday night.

Sidebottom had already announced his retirement, but was given a farewell after the loss against the Bulldogs following his 375th game.