> Watch Sharrod Wellingham speak to CTV in the rooms after the round 14 win over Essendon

> Watch Mick Malthouse speak to the media after the win

COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has heaped praise on gun midfielder Scott Pendlebury in the wake of the Magpies’ comprehensive six-goal victory over Essendon.

Pendlebury, who injured the medial ligament in his left knee in the Pies’ round 12 win over Sydney, had 20 possessions and four inside 50s after missing last week’s victory over Fremantle.

“A massive credit to Scott Pendlebury and I said [it] to the players after the game,” he said.

“His attention to detail to be able to get back was outstanding.”

While lauding Pendlebury for his powers of recovery, the Magpie coach was also effusive when asked about the input of ruckman Josh Fraser and key forward Travis Cloke.

Fraser was superb in gathering 23 possessions and 35 hit outs to turn the tables on Bomber Paddy Ryder, who won the Anzac Medal in the club’s round 5 meeting, while Cloke kicked four goals and was clearly the best forward on the night.

> Watch the team sing the song after the round 14 win

Malthouse said those judging Cloke harshly were way off beam.

“He’s a young man – who’s judging?” he said.

“You’re harsh if you think key forwards will perform like Jonathan Brown every week – it just doesn’t happen.

“He’s very important to us but we have other contributors.”

The win was the Magpies’ sixth on the trot and for Malthouse, the key was finding ways to maintain the rage.

“I think it’s important to win,” he said.

“Too often sides become a little bit satisfied with what they’ve seen over the last month and that might be indicative of sides that, this year, are not as good as St Kilda and Geelong.”

• Match report

Asked to rate the 9-5 Magpies, the Magpie coach said he wasn’t getting caught up in the hype.

“I don’t get caught up in ladders and all that sort of stuff,” he said.

“We play a side next week who are a very good football side. I don’t get caught up in where we are or where anyone else is.”



Follow the club