Pendles backs Pies against anyone

SCOTT Pendlebury has boldly declared Collingwood can beat any team at any venue in a September rallying cry to the black-and-white faithful.

On Saturday, Collingwood will take on West Coast for a chance to leap into a home preliminary final, exactly five years and one day since the Pies’ last playoff.

With four interstate wins this year – including a laststart victory over Fremantle at Optus Stadium – the Collingwood captain is backing his team to wreak some havoc.

“I think ‘Bucks’ (Nathan Buckley) said it last week,” Pendlebury said. “My belief is the same as his. We can beat anyone. Whether it’s at West Coast, Sale, on the MCG. If you bring a side out to play us, I will back our 22 in. It’s just the way we play.”

Questions about the club’s culture were raised following Sam Murray’s positive drug test but Pendlebury believes his team has something special. “I have never wavered in the direction this club has been going,” he said. “Externally I know there is a lot flying around. The last few years have shaped where we are now.”

If the Magpies have to absorb West Coast’s weapons – including a front six together for the first time this year after constant injuries – All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy is happy to play his part.

He admitted yesterday after winning selection on the bench in the year’s best team that his thinking quickly switched to multiple selections.

Grundy said he covets a starting spot in the AA team, and he wasn’t exactly sure why he was pushed to the bench for Max Gawn.

“He is a different player to me and the selectors perhaps value his style of player over mine for that starting role and that’s motivation to continue to get better and hopefully go one better next year,” he said.