MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies leads the team out during the AFL Round match between Richmond v Collingwood at Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 28, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

At the ripe age of 33, Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is in the twilight of his career despite still standing as one of the club's current stars of the game.

In 2020, Pendlebury became the club's record games holder as well as reaching the milestone of becoming the club's most capped skipper, surpassing coach Nathan Buckley's tally of 161 games.

While former Saints and Kangaroos star Nick Dal Santo admits the Magpies captain has plenty of football left in him, he does believe the club must begin to look into their next string of leaders to succeed their skipper.

“I think they need to find a contingency plan for life after Scott Pendlebury being the captain. Not Scott Pendlebury the player,” Dal Santo told SEN Breakfast.

"He’s done everything you could ever ask for from a playing perspective both representing the football club and the AFL … but he can’t be the captain forever.

“Who’s the next one? They probably need a bit of time and prepping to find them.”

2020 All-Australian Taylor Adams is seen as the obvious choice to take over the reigns from Pendlebury after a promising last 24 months in the black and white.

If Pendlebury is to carry the proverbial captains armband for several more seasons, the club's current plethora of famous names could be the next best option.

Defender Darcy Moore had a career best season in 2020 and could follow in the footsteps of his father, Peter, in taking on the captaincy for Collingwood.

Josh Daicos (son of Peter), Callum and Tyler Brown (sons of Gavin) and Will Kelly (son of Craig) have all shown promising glimpses in their young careers.