COLLINGWOOD champion Scott Pendlebury intends to use his exemplary record in a bid to overturn the first suspension of his remarkable 427-game career.
The Magpies on Monday confirmed they will contest the one-match ban handed to Pendlebury for rough conduct.
The 38-year-old veteran bumped Adelaide's Josh Worrell to the head in an incident that was graded careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.
Pendlebury has never been suspended across 21 seasons in the league, but could be forced to sit out the Pies' clash with Greater Western Sydney at Marvel Stadium after the bye.
"If I say I braced what happens? Well, I braced," Pendlebury told Triple M.
"I briefly did some research. I have played 427 games. I have never been to the Tribunal so I don’t know how it works.
"There is a good character clause. And I braced ... The play as it happened, I was our go-to play off the back of the contest and I didn't realise we had hit. I took off."
Pendlebury is poised to break North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey's AFL/VFL record of 432 games this season.
He was in line to reach the milestone in a home game against Hawthorn at the MCG in round eight.
But it could now be pushed back to an away game against Geelong at the same venue in round nine.
Both would be expected to attract huge crowds.
Pendlebury's bid to use his clean record in his Tribunal hearing comes after the AFL changed its rules around character references in 2024.
Brisbane 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".
On Monday, AFL.com.au's Damian Barrett said he expected the Magpies to cite Pendlebury's previously clean record and exceptional standing in the game as part of their defence.
"I think he has to play that (good bloke) card and I really think the competition owes it to him to allow him to play that card, given they allowed it on Charlie Cameron (in 2024)," Barrett said on Access.
His only previous Match Review charge came when he was fined for a punch to Lions star Lachie Neale’s stomach in 2024.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Brisbane escaped the loss of another crucial player as it searches for a first win of the season, after Cameron was fined for rough conduct against Brodie Grundy.
The Lions forward can accept a $2000 fine with an early plea.
Sydney's Sam Wicks, GWS youngster Harvey Thomas, Pies veteran Steele Sidebottom, Crow James Peatling and Fremantle's Neil Erasmus were other players fined.