IF DAMIEN Hardwick was unsure how to get the most out of Christian Petracca this year, Gold Coast's coach has a big off-season to ensure the same doesn't happen with Scott Pendlebury.

The Collingwood champion's decision to head north after a League-record 442 games for the Magpies offers a heap of upside for both himself, and the Suns as a club.

Pendlebury gets to extend his playing career by a further two seasons, at the same time beginning a coaching apprenticeship under Hardwick that is officially contracted to kick-in ahead of the 2029 season.

For Gold Coast, the two-time premiership icon brings instant gravitas to a playing group that at times looked lost during a horror 2025, that saw them lose 10 consecutive games on the way to a 13th-place finish.

Noah Anderson has already proven himself a wonderful skipper, but behind experienced pair Sam Collins and Touk Miller, the remainder of the leadership core is still emerging, led by Matt Rowell and Wil Powell.

When Pendlebury talks, the young Suns will listen, much like Brisbane players did in 2018 when Luke Hodge walked in the door to reshape standards they previously thought were up to scratch.

Scott Pendlebury looks on after the round 17 match between Collingwood and Gold Coast at People First Stadium, on July 4, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

However, unlike Hodge, who played 41 games in his two seasons under Chris Fagan, it's hard to envisage Pendlebury getting the same runway as an ‘on-field coach' to impart his knowledge.

Hardwick said towards the end of the season it was up to him to find a better use for Petracca, whose form took a significant downturn late in the year when he was moved from a primary midfield role to almost exclusively a forward role.

"I've got to find how I can best use him," Hardwick said.

That is only going to be muddied even further by Pendlebury's addition, whether the intention is to use him for eight games, 10, 12 or 18.

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If Hardwick sees the 38-year-old (39 before next season starts) as a midfielder, he's competing with Anderson, Rowell, Miller, Petracca and Bailey Humphrey for playing time.

That was arguably the biggest selection headache this season, trying to get the most out of a talent pool that was ultimately smashed at clearances far too often. 

If Pendlebury is seen as a half-forward – a role he played with aplomb on occasions for Collingwood – he's sharing space with Humphrey, Petracca, Leo Lombard and defensive hounds Will Graham and Lachie Gulbin.

Perhaps the answer is half-back.

Scott Pendlebury in action during Collingwood's clash with Gold Coast in round 18, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

Dayne Zorko has shown what a late-career positional switch can do, and while Pendlebury would go about it in a different way, it might make the best use of his organisational traits.

Daniel Rioli and Powell are already locked in at the defensive end, as is John Noble, although the fellow former Pie was excellent when pushed up to a wing at stages in 2026, which could be an option again next year.

Pendlebury's calm head on field is unquestionably something the Suns could do with after losing five games by 13 points or less this year.

Finding the right spot without upsetting the equilibrium elsewhere is a challenge for the three-time premiership coach, who faces his biggest 12 months since joining Gold Coast late in 2023.