Scott Pendlebury has addressed the media on Monday ahead of his record-breaking 433rd game this weekend.

The champion was greeted by a big press pack eager to hear from the history-maker, with Pendlebury touching on a range of topics ahead of his milestone match.

On surpassing some of the game’s greats

“It makes me reflect when you see the messages and I was speaking to Boomer (Brent Harvey) last week when he came into the Club about those guys, champions of the game and it probably sits uncomfortably with me that you’re on that level with all those guys,” he said.

“I think all of us at one stage were just that kid in the stands that used to come and watch these guys.

“I often talk about when I get interviewed by say, Gary Lyon, who was one of my favourite players growing up and I remember just sitting in stands – I’d only come to one game a year from the country which was Melbourne-Collingwood and I couldn’t stand Collingwood.

“I loved Gaz, loved Jeff Farmer, Shane Woewodin, guys like that, so I just try and reflect on all the little kids that just love the game and I’m so fortunate to have played as long as I have.”

On taking it week by week throughout his career

“One thing I’ve always done is I appreciate the game for what it is,” he said.

“Regardless of if it’s this week or not, I always take a moment to look around at the stands, find my family.

“I always say to the young guys that play their first game, one bit of advice from me that’s got nothing to do with the game … ‘when you get out here for the first time, just take a moment just to take it all in’.

“I still feel like I’m achieving my dream every time I come out here.”

On his goals at the start of his career

“To get one game – the same as every player that plays, it was to get one,” he said.

“The to get two and then it just snowballs from there.

“When you start to feel comfortable at the level you figure out what’s your next goal, your next target.

“Then to establish myself at the level.

“I didn’t want to be a guy that only played well when the side played well and I didn’t want to perform poorly when the side performed poorly.

“I wanted to be really consistent and level no matter what the game threw up.

“Mick (Malthouse) was really big on consistency and if you could perform well in big games that meant a lot to him.

“I was scared of Mick for basically my whole career, so I didn’t want to let Mick down and Mick was a fantastic coach.”

On playing for Collingwood his whole career

“I’ve always been really appreciative of the fact that I was drafted into the Club,” he said.

“I’m passing through – I’ve probably overstayed my welcome a little bit – but I’ve had the opportunity to play in front of so many big crowds and big games and that really fast tracks you.

“I think a lot of our young kids really appreciate the fact as well that they get to play in these big games and those fast track your development.”