Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Scott Pendlebury AFL record celebrations took on extra meaning at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after the Collingwood veteran drove the decision for every Magpies player to wear gold numbers.

Pendlebury broke the AFL games record in his 433rd appearance as Collingwood beat West Coast in front of 90,028 fans, turning a milestone match into a club-wide tribute.

The moment followed another major Collingwood milestone story, with Scott Pendlebury breaking the AFL games record in Collingwood’s milestone match, while official league updates are available through the Australian Football League website.

Pendlebury Pushes Team Tribute

Collingwood had faced criticism when early reports suggested only Pendlebury would wear the special gold-numbered jumper.

Coach Craig McRae said the idea to extend the design across the team came from Pendlebury himself.

"There was a bit of a collective but Pendles drove it. He's a team man and he drove it hard," McRae said.

"I came in late in the process and he said, 'What if we all wear it?' I said, 'That would be amazing'.

"And when they ran out on the ground you just had that feeling ... I got quite emotional about it and so proud of being part of this incredible footy club."

Fans Get First Look

Collingwood kept the jumper plan quiet until just before the first bounce.

Pendlebury said he was pleased supporters were able to experience the reveal at the ground.

"I'm glad that we could keep it under wraps because there's a few people out there that love to leak that sort of stuff," Pendlebury said.

"They do it because they want to try and steal the moment from the fans and the club.

"I'm really glad as a football club we could keep that under wraps for a long period of time and then come out, because I think the fans deserved to see it first."

Record Day Ends in Win

West Coast made Collingwood work hard, cutting a 29-point deficit to three points late in the final term.

Pendlebury finished with 20 disposals and five clearances despite close attention from Willem Duursma and Brady Hough.

"It was a game that we knew was going to come and with the occasion as well there was going to be a bit added to it. It was a great game and I'm glad we won."