The three-time All-Australian finished one vote clear of Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett to win the award, with Joel Selwood of Geelong placed a vote further back.
Sitting third entering the final fixture of the season, Pendlebury’s virtuoso display against North Melbourne on Sunday saw him collect nine votes surge past Selwood and round 22 leader, Sydney’s Kieran Jack, to be named 2013’s leading player by competing coaches.
Given the implied tacit acknowledgement by opposition coaches that a player managed to foil efforts to curb their influence, the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year remains unique among the host of end of season awards on offer, and one which Pendlebury admitted he was honoured to receive.
“It’s a good award to win and I think all the players hold it in pretty high regard,” Pendlebury said.
“Obviously one coach every week is trying to plot your downfall and the other one is helping you play well.”
Having recorded career highs in average disposals and clearances this season, Pendlebury has maintained the remarkable trajectory which has seen the former number five draft pick emerge as one of the leading players in the game.
With a Premiership, Norm Smith Medal, multiple All-Australian selections and Copeland Trophy already in his keeping, Pendlebury’s decorated 170-game career places him among exalted company.
However, quite remarkably, at only 25, the Gippsland native still has his best years ahead of him.
But driven by a burning desire for further team success, Pendlebury certainly couldn’t be accused of naval gazing; admitting he likely won’t be able to truly appreciate his individual accolades for some time yet.
“(I will be able to reflect) more so at the end of the season and probably even at the end of your career you will appreciate (individual awards) more but while you’re playing it’s all about trying to win a premiership and team success,” he said.
“All my goals are based around how the team is going. I don’t think I have broken it down individually yet and won’t until the season finishes.
“I’m more excited for finals and getting stuck into that. I think we’re placed very well and I’m looking forward to it.”
Pendlebury becomes the third Collingwood player to claim the AFLCA prize following current coach Nathan Buckley (2003) and team mate Dane Swan (2010).
Collingwood v North Melbourne - Round 23
| Votes | Player | Club |
| 9 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 8 | Jack Ziebell | North Melbourne |
| 5 | Ryan Bastinac | North Melbourne |
| 5 | Travis Cloke | Collingwood |
| 2 | Drew Petrie | North Melbourne |
| 1 | Brent Harvey | North Melbourne |
Collingwood Leaderboard for the 2013 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award (after 23 rounds)
| Votes | Player |
| 96 | Scott Pendlebury |
| 77 | Dane Swan |
| 39 | Travis Cloke |
| 37 | Steele Sidebottom |
| 23 | Harry O'Brien |
| 20 | Heath Shaw |
| 17 | Luke Ball |
| 12 | Sam Dwyer |
| 10 | Jamie Elliott |
| 10 | Josh Thomas |
| 9 | Paul Seedsman |
| 7 | Dayne Beams |
| 7 | Brent Macaffer |
| 7 | Dale Thomas |
| 6 | Nathan Brown |
| 5 | Marley Williams |
| 4 | Jarryd Blair |
| 4 | Quinten Lynch |
| 3 | Ben Reid |
| 3 | Ben Sinclair |
| 2 | Ben Kennedy |
| 1 | Ben Hudson |
| 1 | Darren Jolly |
| 1 | Andrew Krakouer |
| 1 | Kyle Martin |
| 1 | Alan Toovey |
Overall 2013 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award Leaderboard (after 23 rounds)
| Votes | Player | Club |
| 96 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 95 | Gary Ablett | Gold Coast |
| 94 | Joel Selwood | Geelong |
| 92 | Kieren Jack | Sydney |
| 78 | Ryan Griffen | Western Bulldogs |
| 77 | Dane Swan | Collingwood |
| 73 | Patrick Dangerfield | Adelaide |
| 71 | Jarryd Roughead | Hawthorn |
| 70 | Daniel Hannebery | Sydney |
| 68 | Nathan Fyfe | Fremantle |
