With only one round remaining, Pendlebury sits in third place, five votes adrift of leader Joel Selwood, after polling eight votes during Collingwood’s comprehensive 62-point victory over West Coast at the MCG last Friday night.
Amassing 37 possessions, including five clearances and four inside 50s, Pendlebury produced another glittering display to add to the catalogue of telling performances which he has compiled across the course of the season.
However, he found himself outshone on the night by unanimous best on ground Josh Thomas, whose 35 disposals, eight marks, seven inside 50s, four clearances and goal saw him claim 10 votes from competing coaches Nathan Buckley and John Worsfold.
Though an ever present member of the Magpies side this season, Thomas’ performance against the Eagles possessed all the hallmarks of a breakout display, and provided a timely reminder of the depth and breadth of talent which has underpinned Collingwood’s season.
That such a performance arrived in Thomas’ fourth season at AFL level is testament to the Gold Coast-born midfielder’s obstinacy and determination in his refusal to allow a wretched run with injury curtail his AFL dream.
Drafted in 2009, such has been Thomas’ injury ordeal that he only made his first appearance in Black and White during this year’s pre-season NAB Cup competition.
Having been steadfast in his support of Thomas throughout his well documented travails, Buckley said his display against the Eagles provided an insight into the type of footballer into which the 22-year old is capable of developing.
“At the end of last year he wondered whether the club was going to support him through his injury challenges but we rewarded him for his professionalism and he is rewarding us with his effort,” Buckley said.
“He is still in the infancy of his career and there is so much growth in him but he's showing now the makings of a very good footballer.”
Fellow on-baller Dane Swan was rewarded for another 30 plus performance with six votes, moving him into sixth on the AFLCA leader board, while Marley Williams, Travis Cloke and Nathan Brown collected the remaining available votes to complete a Magpie clean sweep.
Collingwood v West Coast - Round 22
| Votes | Player | Club |
| 10 | Josh Thomas | Collingwood |
| 8 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 6 | Dane Swan | Collingwood |
| 3 | Marley Williams | Collingwood |
| 2 | Travis Cloke | Collingwood |
| 1 | Nathan Brown | Collingwood |
Collingwood Leaderboard for the 2013 AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award (after 22 rounds)
| Votes | Player |
| 87 | Scott Pendlebury |
| 77 | Dane Swan |
| 37 | Steele Sidebottom |
| 34 | Travis Cloke |
| 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 21 rounds)
| Votes | Player | Club |
| 92 | Joel Selwood | Geelong |
| 90 | Kieren Jack | Sydney |
| 87 | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| 85 | Gary Ablett | Gold Coast |
| 78 | Ryan Griffen | Western Bulldogs |
| 77 | Dane Swan | Collingwood |
| 70 | Daniel Hannebery | Sydney |
| 68 | Nathan Fyfe | Fremantle |
| 65 | Travis Boak | Port Adelaide |
| 65 | Patrick Dangerfield | Adelaide |
