Round 11 of the 2026 AFL season saw plenty of highlights and lowlights, headlined by Collingwood Magpies midfielder Scott Pendlebury breaking the all-time game record.
PENDLES BREAKS ALL-TIME GAMES RECORD
It is official. Collingwood Magpies veteran midfield now stands alone on top of the all-time games record list after more than six months of build-up towards the historical moment, which is likely never to be broken ever again.
Replacing Brett Harvey – who took over from Michael Tuck in 2016 – at the top of the record books, Pendlebury walked through the tunnel and a glistening banner as the race was filled with influential figures such as Eddie McGuire, Geoff Walsh and Greg Swann as every Collingwood player wore gold numbers on their gurnsey.
While Pendlebury and the Magpies celebrated long into the night, not everything went to the script for Collingwood as they were push to their limits against the West Coast Eagles and were only able to walk away with a ten-point victory.
In the historic match, Pendlebury finished with 20 disposals (seven kicks and 13 handballs), two tackles and five clearances.
“I love the game and I want the opportunity to play for as long as I can. The thing that I’m sort of trying to wrap my head around is yes,” Pendlebury said.
“I broke the record, but, you know, the end goal is a flag, so that’s what I want to get this year.
“I might finish on 450, 460, 440, I don’t know. But I just want to keep preparing. I love the process and, you know, I’m looking forward to getting in the ice bath tomorrow morning and starting again and playing the Bulldogs next week.”
POV: You're filming Scott Pendlebury's record breaking 433rd AFL Game 🎥
Take a special look at the milestone moment, with our 360 camera taking you right onto the field 😍 #AFL #AFLPiesEagles pic.twitter.com/oOPmnIdWs6
— Kayo Sports (@kayosports) May 24, 2026
GWS SEASON FAR FROM OVER
Entering Round 11 of the 2026 AFL season under immense pressure – especially after a shock loss to West Coast last week – the GWS Giants showed that their season is far from over with an incredible performance against the reigning back-to-back premiers.
Despite losing star duo Lachie Whitfield and Jack Buckley to hamstring injuries, the Giants showed amazing grit and lethal attack to demolish the Brisbane Lions by 78 points. This included a mighty 14 goals during the third-quarter period before closing out the contest.
Jake Stringer and Toby Greene both kicked a bag of five goals leading the forward line whiley recruit Clayton Oliver was back to his devastating best in the midfield with 37 disposals, eight tackles and four marks.
“Unfortunately, and to be truthful, our third quarters have been a problem for us for the last three weeks,” Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“For some reason or other, these quirky things sort of pop up. We had a good lead against Carlton a few weeks ago and squandered a fair bit of that in the third quarter.
“Geelong got us in the third quarter last week, and it happened again today. We need to have a talk with the group and work out what’s happening there.”
Back in a big way. pic.twitter.com/LCdDuC6XyY
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) May 24, 2026
JAGGA SMITH IS ON FIRE FOR BLUES
After missing his first year (2025 AFL season) of professional Aussie Rules due to injury, there were worries that rookie Carlton Blues star Jagga Smith may have been unable to live up to his potential as a player.
Debuting in the Opening Round of 2026, his game has progressed rapidly and this was evident against the Port Adelaide Power in which he racked up 27 disposals in the midfield at an efficiency rate of 85 per cent.
Carlton interim coach Josh Fraser added, “He’s incredibly driven to be a great player and he’s in a hurry.”
“It makes my job and all the other boys’ job so much more enjoyable when we see these guys living out their dream and playing good footy,” Smith’s teammate Ollie Florent said.
“And Jagga’s had an unbelievable start to his career.”
"It makes my job and all the other boys' job so much more enjoyable when we see these guys living out their dream and playing good footy, and Jagga's had an unbelievable start to his career."
Ollie Florent on Jagga Smith after a big night from the young star! pic.twitter.com/JfRM6jQOVK
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 24, 2026