Collingwood veteran Pendlebury fears he’s broken his leg again

Collingwood caretaker coach Robert Harvey says it is too early to tell if Scott Pendlebury suffered a broken leg in Friday night’s loss to Port Adelaide, but it appears likely the Magpies’ superstar captain has played his last game for the season.

Pendlebury hobbled off Marvel Stadium in the first term after being dragged down awkwardly while being tackled from behind by Power midfielder Willem Drew.

The Magpies initially believed the injury was a knock to the lower leg, but Pendlebury is fearing the worst.

Scott Pendlebury and Travis Boak jostle for the ball.Credit:Getty Images

“I’ve broken my leg before and it’s a little bit similar to the pain I experienced with that,” Pendlebury said post-match.

“It’s really sore around the bone and the middle of the leg.“

Collingwood supporters face an anxious wait before finding out the full extent of the damage sustained by Pendlebury, the club’s games record holder.

Harvey is hoping for more positive news.

“It’s a pretty early diagnosis, that one,” the caretaker coach said.

“All we know is he was too sore to go back on.

“Until we get further information, it’s too early for that stuff.

“We were able to cover him in the midfield but you just can’t cover that leadership.“

Pendlebury was officially ruled out at quarter-time and replaced by medical substitute 211cm forward Mason Cox, a selection that raised eyebrows.

Cox kicked one goal during Collingwood’s third-quarter purple patch but otherwise had virtually no influence, finishing with five disposals – the least of any player from either team – and one mark.

Harvey defended the decision to go with Cox as the sub.

“We were a really young team and didn’t have a lot in reserve in regards to experienced players,” he said.

“I know Mason could have done more and he was a bit quiet in the end.

“Through where we’re at, I just thought that was the best call and that’s the way we went.

“We still had our moments in the last quarter and looked like we were running on top of the ground so in the end I didn’t think that (Cox’s selection) was an issue.“

Outside of his team’s goalless second quarter, Harvey was enthused with what he saw from his charges who, while beaten, were far from disgraced in their gritty response to last week’s fadeout against Carlton.

“There was a bit to like,” said Harvey, who expects vice-captain Jeremy Howe to make his long-awaited return for next weekend’s clash with West Coast after missing more than three months with a hamstring injury.

“There were some really good moments that we had.

“Outside of the second quarter we were really competitive.”

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