Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury's got what it takes to captain the proud club New Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury,. EVERY year Scott Pendlebury experiments with something. In summers past it has been drinking green tea or dining gluten-free. This pre-season, it is mostly organic food. Behind the relaxed demeanour of Collingwood's new captain is a perfectionist. Someone who won't settle for second best or stand for the "selfishness" that club leaders publicly blamed for last year's failures. Pendlebury, 26, is adamant the Pies have the cattle to give the flag a genuine crack in 2014. But at the Westpac Centre, attitude is the new king. Driving the club's standards will be a relentless professional, first identified as captaincy material by his predecessor, Nick Maxwell, five years ago. "It (captaincy) has always been a goal of mine, since I was 21 and first put in the leadership group," Pendlebury told the Herald Sun. Maxy said to me one day 'You could lead this footy club and just keep your ears open, keep listening and learning'. I feel very honoured to lead this footy club and it's not something I want to muck around with, because I want success, and I will do whatever I have to do to get that. Maxwell discussed handing over the captaincy this time last year, but felt the time was right now. The widely-expected handover comes at a critical time for Collingwood. Last year it underachieved. Harsh criticism was dealt. Favourite sons were gone. The shock first final loss to Port Adelaide has sat awkwardly in Pendlebury's stomach all summer. "I was disappointed with what we did (last year)," he said. That final against Port Adelaide still burns in my gut. It's the one that got away but ultimately Port Adelaide was the better side. They played good footy and were brave and daring we played too safe but we will learn from that. The 171-gamer has no issue with the club moving on Dale Thomas and Heath Shaw, saying it's "part and parcel" of modern footy. But to miss the finals for the first time in nine years would be a disaster for coach Nathan Buckley this season. Pendlebury is buoyed by the team's endeavour, but says their mettle will be tested in a difficult first month against Fremantle, Sydney, Geelong and Richmond. He believes the club is well-placed to prevent the cracks of last year from reopening. Guys seem to be in a good headspace and are working really hard to get ready for Round 1. Obviously we get to test it when the games start. That's when you want to have that winning culture. It hardly seems possible for a player statistically-proven to be more consistent than Gold Coast sensation Gary Ablett, but Pendlebury wants to keep improving. "I know I've loved it when I've had the chance to lead the boys in home and away games," he said. The pride of performance is still going to be there, so maybe I can go to another level. But I wouldn't like to think I'm going to another level just because I'm captain. I'm doing it because I want to be the best I can be.