Another premiership Magpie joins Pendlebury at the Suns

Collingwood development coach Nathan Murphy will join his premiership teammate Scott Pendlebury at the Gold Coast Suns in 2027.

The 27-year-old has accepted a development/assistant coaching role with the Suns after two years on the Magpies coaching panel.

Murphy was medically retired early in the 2024 season due to concussion. He was subbed out of the 2023 grand final at quarter time after copping a head injury in the first quarter. It proved to be his final match for the club.

He has worked in the club’s development program since and was the VFL team’s backline coach as well as a development coach in 2026.

The Suns also landed Pendlebury on a four-year deal with the veteran hoping to play for two more seasons before transitioning into a coaching role.

Pendlebury will be a conduit between the coaching panel led by Damien Hardwick and the players who will benefit from his leadership and experience. Pendlebury has already met with Christian Petracca, whose form at the Suns dropped off after he made an electrifying start to the season.

The Magpies have had some turnover in their development area in recent seasons with Josh Fraser joining Carlton and Scott Selwood taking a break from football at the end of last year.