Scott Pendlebury is perfectly poised to win his second Copeland Trophy, but Harry O’Brien isn’t far behind him according to their Collingwood teammates.

Collingwoodfc.com.au conducted a mid-season poll of the club’s playing list, with the players answering a host of questions anonymously.

When asked to nominate the player most likely to be leading the club’s best and fairest at the halfway mark of the season, Pendlebury was the favourite.

But it wasn’t by much.

Not far behind the vice-captain was fellow leader Harry O’Brien whose move to the wing has paid dividends for player and team alike.

Pendlebury leads Collingwood for handballs (171), contested possessions (156) and clearances (76) while the umpires have looked upon him favourably, awarding him 21 free kicks which is five more than the next best placed Magpie Darren Jolly (16).

It’s not only the players who have given the first half of ‘Pendles’ season the tick of approval.

The AFL’s senior coaches have been similarly impressed.

The silky onballer leads Collingwood’s AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award with 46 votes, head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates.

He is currently ranked equal fifth in the overall competition leaderboard, although he is still 27 votes behind the first-placed Gary Ablett Junior (73 votes).

O’Brien, Pendlebury’s main competition for Copeland Trophy glory in the eyes of the players, is in the midst of perhaps the best season of his career.

The 2010 All-Australian half back is averaging career high disposals (22.08), marks (5.67), inside 50s (3.33), clearances (2.0), free kicks (1.0), contested possessions (6.83), uncontested possessions (15.42), marks inside 50 (0.25) and goal assists (0.67).

O’Brien’s ability to become a midfield weapon has been clearly noticed and respected by his teammates who believe that he is the man most likely to usurp Pendlebury on Copeland Trophy night later this year.

Steele Sidebottom was also prominent in the players’ votes while Brent Macaffer was rewarded for his revival as a tagger with recognition from several teammates.

Previous winners Dane Swan and Travis Cloke were also mentioned as potential leaders at the halfway mark of the season.

Stay tuned to collingwoodfc.com.au for more results from the player poll, including their best win, the most improved player and their one word summation of Collingwood’s form so far this season.