Magpies to challenge Scott Pendlebury's AFL ban, Swans star Errol Gulden out for four months

Collingwood will contest Scott Pendlebury's one-match suspension at the AFL tribunal, as the veteran midfielder faces a ban for the first time in his 427-match career.

Pendlebury was charged with rough conduct following an incident involving Adelaide's Josh Worrell during the Crows' 14-point win at the MCG on Saturday night.

The 38-year-old has never been suspended across 21 seasons in the AFL but could be forced to sit out the Magpies' match with GWS at Docklands after their round-two bye.

"I have played 427 games. I have never been to the tribunal, so I don't know how it works," Pendlebury told Triple M.

"There is a good character clause. And I braced … I was our go-to play off the back of the contest and I didn't realise we [he and Worrell] had hit. I took off."

Pendlebury is poised to break North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey's AFL/VFL record of 432 matches this season.

His bid to use his clean record in his tribunal hearing comes after the AFL changed its rules around character references in 2024.

Brisbane Lions forward Charlie Cameron famously used the so-called "good bloke clause" to have a one-match ban overturned, and the loophole was closed the following season.

Under current AFL rules, Pendlebury could argue for a fine instead of suspension under "exceptional and compelling circumstances".

His only previous match review charge came when he was fined for a punch to Lions star Lachie Neale's stomach in 2024.

Gulden on the sidelines

Sydney Swans star Errol Gulden will undergo surgery on his injured right shoulder and is expected to be sidelined for about four months.

The Swans have made an unbeaten start to the season, having recorded convincing wins over Carlton and reigning premiers Brisbane.

But injuries to Gulden and fellow star Isaac Heeney (hamstring) in the final quarter on Saturday night soured the Swans' 44-point thumping of the Lions at the SCG.

On Monday, the Swans issued a brief statement confirming two-time All-Australian midfielder Gulden will undergo surgery later this week.

"He is expected to be unavailable for approximately four months of football," the Swans' statement read.

A return in late July would leave Gulden with about one month to prepare for a finals series, if the Swans are still in the mix.

Marshall backs ruck partnership

Rowan Marshall is adamant his ruck partnership with Tom De Koning will blossom, as St Kilda attempts to reverse a winless start to the season.

De Koning was lured to the Saints as a restricted free agent from Carlton on a massive eight-year deal worth about $1.7 million per year.

It cast doubt over Marshall's role at St Kilda and he promptly requested a trade to Geelong.

But the move was denied and Marshall returned to Moorabbin, where he insists there was no awkwardness around the off-season dealings.

Marshall has spent increased time working on his forward craft in preparation for splitting ruck time with De Koning.

He sat out the 13-point loss to Melbourne on Sunday because of a concussion, but is hopeful of returning against GWS this Saturday.

"It's still a work in progress, but we're really confident with the strides we made throughout the preseason," Marshall said of the De Koning partnership.

"It's something I'm really confident will work."

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