‘Our time is now’: Veteran embraces flag push
Collingwood veteran Steele Sidebottom says 2025 is not “the last dance” for the ageing Magpies but admits he would likely be elsewhere if they weren’t going all out for a second premiership under Craig McRae.
Six weeks shy of his 34th birthday, Sidebottom said he was excited to mount another flag tilt after he was left “in the dark” over his future at Olympic Park until late August.
He penned a one-year deal for 2025 and with 19 more senior appearances would follow his longtime teammate Scott Pendlebury as the second Pie to reach 350 career games.
“It is very exciting – I was a little bit in the dark over where I was at heading into the latter end of the season,” Sidebottom said.
“So to finish off the season strong, from a personal stance, was good as well, and I’m as excited as ever.”
Sidebottom said he was a beneficiary of the club’s optimism about its contender status despite missing the finals in 2024.
“It’s probably a little bit (all out for a flag), which is great for me as well. I think once you go in a different direction, it’s not usually the younger guys who get kicked out,” he said.
“I think where we finished last year is not a good representation of where our team is at.
“I feel like our time is now … we’ve got a great list, and we’ve brought some great guys in … I’m confident.
“Nah, it’s not (the last dance), but this is the next step in front of us … we’re putting everything we have into ’25, what happens is going to have an effect on 2026. The Collingwood footy club will still be around in 2026, but I think our time is now.”
The additions of All-Australian halfback Dan Houston and GWS utility Harry Perryman were poised to send Sidebottom back to the wing after he was shifted behind the ball amid a form slump early last season.
A seven-disposal performance in the Anzac Day draw with Essendon put pressure on his spot, but he shifted to halfback and began to find the ball again.
“I found myself a little bit everywhere last season, probably struggled to perform a little bit (early on) and then (I was) almost looking for a spot,” he said.
“But I’ll be happy to end up wherever – I’ve played most of my footy on the wing, and potentially that will be where I play most of my footy, but we’ll see how we go looking forward.”
Sidebottom brought his four-year-old daughter Matilda to the launch of the AFL’s free Christmas live site, which will run at Marvel Stadium from December 3 to 23.
Marvel Stadium general manager Scott Fitzgerald said ”The Nth Pole” would have 18 different club-themed Christmas trees, and family Santa photography available from 10am to 3pm each day.
“We’re so excited to deliver an unforgettable experience this festive season. Marvel Stadium is the busiest multi-purpose stadium globally, and we’re excited to showcase yet again how we can transform our stadium with another unique offering,” he said.
