‘Iconic’ Collingwood call on Pendles fans must accept; star now undeniably on AFL’s ‘Mount Rushmore’: Round 9 Talking Pts

A great has hit back at backlash surrounding Scott Pendlebury’s record game.

Plus, a huge call on a Swans superstar in rare air, and more, in foxfooty.com.au’s Round 9 Talking Points!

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‘NEEDS TO BE ICONIC’: GREAT HITS BACK AT PENDLES PARTY BACKLASH

There’s been backlash towards Collingwood for the way it’s managed Scott Pendlebury towards his record game at the MCG against West Coast in Round 11.

But Kangaroos champion David King has defended the Magpies, saying Pendlebury’s historic milestone “needs to be an iconic moment for our code.”

Pendlebury, 38, is set to be rested for the second time in three weeks when Collingwood faces the ladder-leading Swans at the SCG next Friday night on a five-day break.

Given the high stakes as the 4-4 Pies scrap for a finals spot, some have questioned the Pendlebury plan and questioned if the club is putting the individual above the team.

It’s become an even more precarious call after a 54-point loss to Geelong in a game Darcy Moore got struck down with concussion.

Though King wasn’t having the blowback towards the Pendlebury party.

“We always say the team is bigger than the individual. (But) this is a special moment for the code and a special moment for Scott that needs to be celebrated properly,” the dual premiership Kangaroo said on Fox Footy.

“The club is going to endorse that, and they have a long way out.

“This is happening. Whether some people like it or not is a short-term conversation and maybe a short-term bit of pain.

“But in the long term, this needs to be an iconic moment for our code.

“It’s job done now. Tick, you got through (the record-equaling game). I know some people look at that in a negative sense. But this is a moment for our code.”

Much like with Collingwood’s guernsey plans for the champ’s record game, the commercial advantages of playing it in front of a full house at the MCG is a no-brainer.

Not to mention that, we frankly mightn’t ever see anyone play this many games again.

There’s also something to be said around the need for Collingwood to start evolving and learning about its list and what it has underneath is veteran core.

Pendlebury won’t be there forever (we think?), and they can’t keep relying on the veteran every week.

In many ways, the management of Pendlebury is a microcosm on how Collingwood should be managing its list as a whole with more of an eye to the future. In a year it’s simply not on the same level as the main contenders.

Despite that, the absence of Pendlebury leaves a key void in McRae’s side. Their midfield got belted by Hawthorn last week in contested possessions (-29) and clearances (-16) the last game he was managed.

So there’s still an unhealthy reliance on his magnet.

“There is a big worry with Pendlebury out, you think about the last two games Scott Pendlebury has been involved in, Anzac Day and (against Geelong), he’s been the highest-rated Collingwood player on the game,” Tigers great Jack Riewoldt said.

“I 100 per cent believe he should come out and play in front of his own fans and potentially 100,000 fans against the West Coast Eagles.

“But it does leave big holes week to week for Craig McRae to try and fill with different players that aren’t at the stature or Scott Pendlebury and don’t have his IQ.

“It does throw a bit of chaos into the mix for Collingwood going forward.”

‘BEST WHOLE GROUND PLAYER IN THE COMP’: HUGE PRAISE FOR HEENEY

Step aside Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli.

Isaac Heeney has been labelled the “best whole ground player in the competition” as the Swans superstar continued his stellar season.

Heeney put on another masterclass against North Melbourne with three goals from 24 disposals including eight score involvements.

That means one in every three of Heeney’s touches resulted in a Sydney score …

The combination of Heeney dominating through the midfield and up forward is the key hallmark of his game.

He’s averaged 25.7 disposals and two goals per game in 2026 for the ladder-leading Swans as one of the Brownlow Medal favourites.

Geelong great Cameron Mooney questioned whether Heeney sits “on the podium” and “Mount Rushmore” of the best players in the competition along with the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Nick Daicos.

But triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt went a step further and suggested Heeney would be held in higher esteem if he played for a Victorian club.

“I think he is the best whole ground player in the comp,” Riewoldt said.

“I know that Dean Cox thinks he’s their best forward, I know he thinks he’s their best midfielder. I’ve got no doubt he could play down back if you need him to.

“At the moment they are using him and Chad Warner forward. I just think this man here, because he’s not in the Melbourne bubble, doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

“He’s a bona fide superstar.”

Heeney himself said after the win over North Melbourne having a balanced game and being able to impact forward is “something I pride myself on”.

“I’m finishing my goals, which is nice, so taking my opportunities,” he told Fox Footy.

“If I can do a bit of both, it’s sort of what ‘Coxy’ wants me to do.”

Heeney got a long-term apprenticeship up forward under John Longmire before finally getting turned into a permanent mid in 2024.

In a reflection of the rare air Heeney sits in, he’s coming off a 2025 season where he led Sydney’s goalkicking and won the club’s best and fairest — a feat only Tony Lockett, Adam Goodes and Barry Hall have achieved in Swans colours.

And he’s putting up even better numbers in 2026 for Dean Cox’s ladder-leading side in a career-best season.

“I think he’s right at the top of the tree as far as the best player in the competition,” Mooney added.

“If he was in Melbourne, we’d be talking about him flat out like Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli – for me, he sits equal with those boys.”

21YO STAR ‘FORWARD LINE VERSION OF NICK DAICOS’

Here’s a timely, post-Round 9 reminder of what Logan Morris is pulling off – potentially unheralded – before our eyes.

He’s barely missed a game since famously debuting in the Q-Clash almost exactly two years ago.

He’s kicked 98 (!) goals in 53 matches – including 21 from eight games this year.

He’s, already, a dual premiership player … at 21 years old.

This all after he slipped to Pick 31 in the 2023 draft.

Not bad for a kid from Werribee, who in his draft year drew questions over whether he had the versatility and size to make a name for himself at AFL level.

“He still blows my mind,” Melbourne champion Garry Lyon told Fox Footy on Friday night.

“If he was here in Melbourne playing for one of the big clubs, this bloke would be up there with Nick Daicos, I reckon.

“He’s the forward line version of Nick Daicos.”

Lyon’s comments came after Morris’ latest impressive showing, booting four goals in Brisbane’s hard-fought win over Carlton.

Morris spent much of the night on All-Australian defender Jacob Weitering and had several moments where he outplayed him.

“I’m loving my footy at the moment. It’s a great group to play with,” Morris told Fox Footy post-game.

“It was good to match up against ‘Weiters’, he’s one of the best defenders in the comp. It’s good to match up against the best and see how you go. I’m glad I played well but stoked I got the win.”

Morris has won the admiration and respect of two champion forwards turned Fox Footy commentators.

“He’s taking his game to a new level, finding different ways to find the footy inside forward 50,” triple premiership Cat Tom Hawkins told Fox Footy.

“He possesses power and a lot of strength. But if you watch him behind the goals, he’s almost like Jack Gunston with his forward craft, changing angles and constantly on the move. It’s no surprise he gets this sort of space on one of the best full-backs in the competition.”

Triple premiership Lion Alastair Lynch said Morris was “rapidly developing as a complete forward”.

“Not overly big, not overly powerful, but just managed to find the space that he’s created with his leading work. He just converts his opportunities,” Lynch said.

“He’s a very exciting player for the future of this club.”

CURIOUS INJURY BLOW TO SUPERSTAR DUO SET TO TEST SAINTS

As a critical fortnight looms at Moorabbin, St Kilda has been dealt a curious double injury concern out of Saturday night’s trip to Darwin — just as Ross Lyon’s side fights to keep its season on track.

Despite bursting to a 25-point lead before quarter-time, the Saints were overrun by Gold Coast after the first break to slump to a 4-5 record after nine rounds.

The visitors were also forced into a surprise late change an hour before the bounce, with superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera withdrawn due to what was later revealed to be a corked leg.

“Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was a late withdrawal. The Saints are trying to be smart with his management. He’s copped such a heavy toll and been targeted every week,” Super Saturday Live’s Jay Clark said.

“It’s been quite bruising, his start to the season, so he missed Saturday night and they’ll hope to have him cherry-ripe for the Tigers.”

The Saints can ill-afford any lingering issue for their $2 million superstar, with clashes against Richmond, Hawthorn and Sydney to come over the next three weeks.

“I thought he’d play, he thought he’d play. He wanted to play tonight,” Lyon said post-game in Darwin.

“There was a little bit of soreness. We thought it was a corkie, so he had a scan (and) there was a little bit of bleeding.

“They couldn’t make a definitive decision, so we need another week to let it settle. We’ll find out during the week.”

Adding to the concern, defensive pillar Callum Wilkie failed to play beyond half-time after copping a heavy knee to the back from Suns spearhead Ben King.

“The worry is Callum Wilkie, who’s hurt his back. His night ended at half-time after copping a very heavy knee to the back from Ben King,” Clark added.

“He missed the second half of the game, and you’d think he’d have a light week on the track and get up against Richmond on the weekend. It doesn’t look too serious.”

Outside of a few isolated setbacks, St Kilda’s injury toll in 2026 has been relatively kind compared to several rivals.

But after a disappointing second half in Darwin’s ultra-humid conditions, the possible absence of Wanganeen-Milera and Wilkie against Richmond could quickly expose the Saints’ depth — and shape the trajectory of their season after an up-and-down start.