The AFL’s Match Review Officer has charged Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury with striking following Thursday’s grand final rematch against the Lions. The charge stems from Pendlebury’s third-quarter incident involving Brisbane’s Lachie Neale. The action has been categorized as intentional conduct, body contact, and low impact. Despite this, Pendlebury, aged 36, won’t face suspension. He has the option to accept a $2500 fine with an early guilty plea or risk a $3750 fine if he decides to contest the charge unsuccessfully. The fine means Pendlebury remains eligible to play against Hawthorn next Sunday at Adelaide Oval for Gather Round. Notably, no other player from Thursday’s match at the Gabba was cited by the MRO.
