Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
Scott Pendlebury’s record breaking AFL appearance for Collingwood has reignited a long running debate about how Australian football history is recognised outside Victoria. The Magpies champion will play his 433rd AFL/VFL game against West Coast at the MCG, moving past Brent Harvey for the official all time games record.
Pendlebury’s milestone has been celebrated across the football world, with many recognising the Collingwood star as one of the greatest players of the modern era. But the achievement has also reopened discussion about whether SANFL and WAFL legends should be included in official all time records.
The issue centres on the AFL’s continued use of the term “AFL/VFL” when referencing historical records. Critics argue the label overlooks the contributions of players who built remarkable careers outside Victoria before the AFL became a national competition in 1990.
Bruce McAvaney said Pendlebury’s place in football history was unquestionable.
“I don’t think there’s anyone in football who would deny Scott Pendlebury’s place in history,” McAvaney said.
“He’s such a compact, brilliant architect in the way he goes about his football. I’ve got nothing but admiration for him.”
Craig Bradley among players raised in debate
Much of the discussion has focused on former Carlton and Port Adelaide great Craig Bradley.
Bradley officially played 375 AFL/VFL matches with Carlton, but his total senior football career exceeded 460 games when his SANFL appearances for Port Adelaide are included.
That tally places him well above Pendlebury’s new AFL/VFL mark, prompting many South Australian fans to question how records are recognised.
Social media discussion intensified during the week leading into Pendlebury’s milestone match.
“Not to take anything away from Pendlebury, but for me Craig Bradley is the games record holder,” one fan posted online.
Bradley is not the only non Victorian football icon whose achievements fall outside official AFL/VFL records.
Port Adelaide legend Russell Ebert played 391 SANFL games before a brief stint at North Melbourne. Glenelg champion Peter Carey played 448 league games in South Australia across a decorated career featuring premierships and All Australian honours.
In Western Australia, players such as Mel Whinnen and Brian Peake also built extraordinary careers largely outside the VFL system.
AFL expansion history still shapes records
The debate often comes back to the origins of the AFL itself.
When the national competition was formally created in 1990, it emerged through the expansion of the Victorian Football League rather than the merger of all state leagues into a brand new structure.
That historical reality remains the basis for the AFL’s official statistical records.
Adelaide sports journalist Andrew Capel said he understood why many supporters and former players felt frustrated.
“Some wouldn’t care, but others do feel aggrieved because they’ve been great long term servants of the game,” Capel said.
“I’m sure every time you see these things like the Pendlebury stories during the week, they do jump up and say, ‘What about me?’ or ‘What about Craig Bradley or Russell Ebert?’”
However, Capel also said he would not alter the current AFL/VFL record system.
“The fact is that the AFL is an expanded VFL competition, which is why it’s called VFL slash AFL,” he said.
Bruce McAvaney acknowledges mixed feelings
McAvaney admitted the topic remains complicated for many football followers outside Victoria.
“There are still 10 Victorian teams in the 18 team competition. We sort of joined their competition. They didn’t join ours,” he said.
At the same time, McAvaney pointed out that national football records are still recognised in official AFL publications.
The AFL season guide includes a category titled “most national games at senior level”, where Bradley sits first ahead of Peter Carey, Greg Phillips, Russell Ebert and Brent Harvey.
That broader list aims to acknowledge players from all major Australian football leagues, even if the AFL/VFL record itself remains separate.
Pendlebury milestone remains historic
Despite the renewed debate, Pendlebury’s achievement stands as one of the defining milestones in AFL history.
The 38 year old has spent his entire career at Collingwood and remains among the competition’s most respected figures. His consistency, durability and leadership have helped shape one of the great modern careers.
Importantly, all of Pendlebury’s appearances have come during the AFL era rather than the VFL period before national expansion.
McAvaney said that distinction matters.
“He actually does have the record for AFL footy and that’s what, really, this is all about,” he said.
“It does not diminish the feats of those other great players both in Western Australia and South Australia. In many ways, it brings them to our attention.”
As Australian football continues balancing its state league history with its national identity, the debate over records and recognition is unlikely to disappear any time soon.