Collingwood players believe captain Scott Pendlebury is set to once again hold the Copeland Trophy aloft this year.
Only three players have ever won Collingwood’s best and fairest award four or more times. All of them are club legends – Bob Rose, Len Thompson and Nathan Buckley.
After victories in 2011, 2013 and 2014, Pendlebury appears on track to win his fourth Copeland Trophy at the halfway mark of the season.
He leads the club in handballs and uncontested possessions, while is second to Dane Swan in total disposals, contested possessions, clearances and inside 50s.
68 per cent of Collingwood players stated in Collingwood Media’s 2015 mid-season survey that they believe Pendlebury would be leading the prestigious award after 11 rounds.
The captain has averaged 27.9 disposals in 2015, 4.7 marks and 4.5 tackles in 11 games this year, including standout games against Adelaide in round two, Carlton in round five and Greater Western Sydney in round 11.
However it was Pendlebury’s 200th game against the Gold Coast that was perhaps his strongest performance of the year.
The 27-year-old celebrated the milestone in style, with 35 disposals and three goals.
15.8 per cent named three-time winner Swan as the mid-season leader, while Jamie Elliott and Jack Frost also received nominations.
The players selected in this year’s survey draw almost direct comparisons to last season’s results. Pendlebury was the standout leader, while Elliott and Frost joined Dayne Beams as other predicted winners.
Elliott has proved a goalkicking sensation once again in 2015.
The 22-year-old has kicked 25 goals in 11 games and is easily on track to surpass his previous best return of 33 goals in 2014.
Down the other end of the ground, Frost has been a model of consistency at full back. While imposing statistics will never be his strong-suit, he has embodied the spirit of the Copeland Trophy as being an award given to “a working man”.
The Copeland Trophy is named after Collingwood secretary from 1895 to 1923, Ernest W. Copeland.
The award can be won by any player to have played a senior game for Collingwood in the most recent season. Despite one player’s nomination, former NBL basketballer Lanard Copeland is not eligible.
Pendlebury’s best in 2015
Round 2 v Adelaide
18 kicks, 5 marks, 14 handballs, 32 disposals, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 0 tackles.
Round 5 v Carlton
17 kicks, 9 marks, 15 handballs, 32 disposals, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 0 rebound 50s, 3 tackles, 2 goals.
Round 8 v Gold Coast
19 kicks, 7 marks, 16 handballs, 35 disposals, 2 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 0 rebound 50s, 3 tackles, 3 goals.
Round 11 v Greater Western Sydney
14 kicks, 1 mark, 15 handballs, 29 disposals, 10 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 4 tackles, 1 goal.
Most Copeland Trophies won
6 – Nathan Buckley (1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003)
5 – Len Thompson (1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1977)
4 – Bob Rose (1949, 1951, 1952, 1953)
3 – Albert Collier (1929, 1934, 1935)
3 – Gavin Brown (1989, 1994, 1997)
3 – Des Fothergill (1937, 1938, 1940)
3 – Phonse Kyne (1946, 1947, 1948)
3 – Dane Swan (2008, 2009, 2010)
3 – Murray Weideman (1957, 1961, 1962)
3 – Scott Pendlebury (2011, 2013, 2014)
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