With 442 games to his name, the all-time AFL games record, 21 seasons, two flags and six All Australians, when will Scott Pendlebury call time on his illustrious career and will it be his decision?

Having injured his hamstring against Brisbane last week, the veteran will not feature in tonight’s wildcard round clash with the Bulldogs, which, if the Pies lose, will mark the end of their season.

All indications from Pendlebury are that he wants to play on, but is it in the best interests of Collingwood?

“I feel like no one wants to tell him he’s done,” David King said on Fireball. “Who wants to be the guy that shoots Bambi? No one.

“Craig doesn’t want to do it and I can understand that, I don’t even think Leppa wants to do it. But when you’ve been there 20 years and the club has been pretty good to you, there has to come a time when you shake hands, have the perfect send-off.

“You have the record; there will be a role at any club. It may not be the number you have now, but you will have a role in footy wherever he wants for years.

“The guys that are scared to call time are the ones going into the unknown, really unsure of what the next part of life looks like.

“He could go into media, other clubs. I think it’s on him to say ‘guys you have been good to me and let me take the decision out of your hands’.”

Reports have circulated that both Gold Coast and Essendon are considering a one-year deal for Pendlebury.

For Kane Cornes, going that extra year seldom works out well.

“Reading between the lines, I think Justin Leppitsch, the list manager, wants to call time,” Cornes said. “Above that there is pressure from CEO and board level that they want Pendlebury to go on.

“I think Scott himself clearly wants to go on. But the list manager doesn’t.

“There is a disagreement – this is my read on it – disagreement between list boss, board, CEO and potentially the coach. Who should have the final say?

“The Chairman comes out and says it's Pendlebury’s decision. Should it be? Or should it be the list management committee’s decision on how they build this team moving forward?

“When does it ever go well for the club when you go that extra year? When they have had to really manage him just to get to the line.”