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Scott Pendlebury played a vital leadership role as Collingwood beat Brisbane by four points in Saturday's pulsating grand final.

The 400 club beckons for Scott Pendlebury, now a two-time premiership player and one of the keys to Collingwood's record-equalling 16th AFL premiership.

The 35-year-old midfielder was crucial on Saturday, especially in the second half, as the Magpies beat Brisbane by four points in a pulsating grand final.

Pendlebury 'quarter-backed' the Magpies through the midfield, directing teammates as he won several vital possessions himself.

Everyone rightly raves about the reflex Nick Daicos handball that set up Jordan De Goey for the go-ahead goal in the last quarter.

But who won the clearance out of the centre and kicked the ball long for that play to happen? Pendlebury.

The former Collingwood captain is sixth on the AFL's all-time games list with 383 and has a contract for next season, when he should reach the 400 milestone.

He joked it might be a good time to approach the club's football boss Graham Wright about an extension.

"How I've been the last few years, just enjoy the moment, enjoy the pre-seasons, enjoy this - because they're so hard to get to," Pendlebury told AAP when asked about next season.

"I will just live in the now and really soak this in."

Pendlebury said he and fellow veteran Steele Sidebottom were endurance athletes, not speed demons, who played out the game in hot conditions without any cramping.

"Probably the main thing in the last quarter for us two was just staying composed, keeping our heads and leading the boys, helping guide and get through some things," he said.

"You're doing it in the hope that you can get it onto this stage and win one.

"Every year, trying to back up and making sure I'm able to contribute on a day like yesterday, it's the reason you do all the work."

Like everyone else in this well-drilled Collingwood team, Pendlebury's thoughts on his role are crystal-clear.

"Late, when I went behind the ball and we were 10 points up, you understand they're going to be more aggressive," he said.

"My job is trying to read those cues and come forward ... if I get the ball in hand, try to find a mark.

"Nick Daicos late, his ability to find a mark in traffic, the handball to Jordy who kicked a goal - that gets missed, with how good a handball that was.

"You want your best players like Nick and Jordy - my job is to try to help them get out there and play, and I will cover the gaps. I just hacked it forward and those two put the polish on it."

Pendlebury agreed with Sidebottom that this flag felt better than their other Collingwood triumph 13 years ago.

"Now we've worked for 13 years, you appreciate how hard they are. He was 20, I was 22," Pendlebury said.

"You think it's going to happen and then I think everyone who's a bit older, you appreciate the body of work that goes into just getting back to this stage.

"It definitely feels nice to have it around our neck again."