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Sport Nation
The six Collingwood veterans who could play on in 2026
Andrew Slevison • June 17th, 2025 11:06 am
Collingwood is working through the contracts of a number of its veterans.
Eight of the Magpies’ 10 players over the age of 30 are out of contract this year but six of them are reportedly intent on playing on in 2026.
That is regardless of any potential success this year with many pundits expecting the top-of-the-table Pies to go deep into September.
Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris says Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jeremy Howe, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Jamie Elliott and Brody Mihocek could all pull on the black and white stripes again next year.
However, the respective futures of Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell and ruck/forward Mason Cox remain unclear.
“Collingwood has eight veterans who are out of contract and the club is weighing up their futures,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“Six of them have told the club they want to play on even if they win the flag. The club has said back to them that we want you play on as well, providing there’s not a serious injury in the back-half of the year.
“Tom Mitchell and Mason Cox will have to wait until the end of the season. But ‘Pendles’, Howe, Hoskin-Elliott, Elliott, Mihocek and Sidebottom have the luxury, I guess, of knowing that the club wants them to play on.
“What they’re trying to avoid is a Callan Ward situation where they re-sign, let’s say Steele Sidebottom in two weeks, and then he does his ACL in Round 23 and then they’re on the hook next year.
“That’s what they’re working through at the moment. It seems like they’re going to have at least six of these elder players go on next year.”
Collingwood’s two other 30-plussers - Jack Crisp and Tim Membrey - remain under contract for 2026.
“Jack Crisp is contracted for 2026 anyway with a games trigger for 2027,” Morris added.
“Tim Membrey is contracted for next year as well.”
Pendlebury in particular indicated on SEN Breakfast last week that he would lean towards playing on in 2026.
“All I can say is I’m loving my footy, I’m a super competitive person and I enjoy going into the club every day, I have so much fun,” said the 414-game former captain.
“While we’re still contending and I’m playing a role that the club really values then I’d love to continue playing footy but that’s a conversation we’ll have as a club and be nice and mature about it.”
Pendlebury and the Pies enjoyed their bye round last weekend but will be back in action against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
