‘Grave error’: Pies exposed as great questions bold call… and ‘own goal’ is set to be laid bare

Craig McRae’s decision not to rest key players such as Scott Pendlebury in Round 24 has been labelled a “grave error”.

It comes after veteran star Pendlebury was sidelined for at least two to three weeks with a hamstring/bursa injury suffered early in the loss to Brisbane last Friday.

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There were widespread calls leading into the fixture for the Magpies and clubs alike to manage key players for the finals series.

McRae said pre-game on Friday that after “weighing it up”, his stars “wanted to play” against the Lions, despite the fixture not impacting Collingwood’s looming wildcard date at the MCG.

On Fox Footy’s First Crack, King strongly questioned the thought process behind putting close to a full-strength team on the park.

“I think the Collingwood Football Club have made a tremendous error by saddling all their players up on the weekend,” King said.

“We talked about it all week — in a meaningless game, in the end, Brisbane won by 10 goals plus. What’s the point of playing everyone?

“The aim of the season is to finish as high as you possibly can, and once that point is known — which it was last week — then your next point of reference is to manage your list to be as healthy as it can be.

“To have as close to your best 23 out there for that finals series, whether that starts in the wildcard or in the traditional finals campaign.”

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King said he “couldn’t believe” Pendlebury was named to play, with the games record-holder set to leave the Pies without their most composed user.

“He does some things that create scores; he did it again on the weekend … You’re going to miss this,” he said.

“This (impact of Pendlebury) is going to be absolutely required in a wildcard (final). This is why we’re having these discussions (about rest).

“Everyone tells me, ‘Oh, the players wanted to play’. Well, you know what? You run the footy club, Craig McRae — you make these calls. (Say that) we’re making them for the betterment of the fanbase, our members (because) we want to win the flag.

“Pendlebury would have had to have played seven games in a row for them to win the premiership … This year, he’s gone three games - out, three games - out, one game - out, three games - out, one game - out, four games - out. And then he plays two in a row.

“They had the chance to rest him … he was never going to survive that run. I just think it’s one of the poorer decisions I’ve seen.

“And I think, in the end, they knew it themselves. They got (Nick) Daicos off the ground for pretty much the last quarter. Darcy Cameron the same. But then that exposed some others. (Billy) Frampton plays almost the whole game, and the others are taxed by those extra minutes.

“I just think this will have an impact next weekend that it should never have had.”

King was asked who he was pointing the finger at for the ultimate call.

“The players have got to accept that if the coach comes to you and says ‘we don’t want you to play’, that’s it,” he said.

“I think they (players) were asked their opinion, and they said ‘we want to play’. And I think the club should have been stronger and said ‘you know what? Our resources must go to wildcard over and above Round 24’.”

The Herald Sun’s Jay Clark prompted: “Surely the coach has the final say? … If he’s not making those calls, why be coach? That is your job as the coach, surely.”

King replied: “Well, I think he’s made a grave error, and put a real thorn in the side of this premiership opportunity.

“Craig McRae knows what was up for grabs — we talked about it last week with him.

“Whoever has made this decision — whether it is the player or the coach, I don’t care who it is — you’re not there with Pendlebury next week, when you had the perfect opportunity to have as many of your best 23 players represent (in the finals), they are not there.

“It’s one of the greatest own goals I’ve seen in a while, and maybe teams are not ready for this wildcard series. Maybe they are a bit discombobulated. That’s a poor decision.”

Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna, meanwhile, admitted he was “surprised” Collingwood didn’t manage more players against Brisbane.

“The freshen-up would (have done) the world of good — that’s why (there is) the advantage for teams that have a bye,” he said.

“They had the chance to rest players, and chose not to. In the end, they don’t get the win; they don’t get anything out of it from a review.

“So, what was the point of even going out there and risking injury? I think they missed a trick as well.”

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