Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom addressed the media on Monday following last week’s Qualifying Final win over Melbourne.
Sidebottom said it had been a long wait until the game given the pre-finals bye and was amazed at the Magpie Army’s turn out.
“In terms of making the most of it, it was a long build up from the last game to the first final,” he said.
“Even just the 12 months previous playing, you almost forget how good it is out there and our fans are so good at turning up.
“92,000 there on Thursday night, to hear that black and white army just going mad, it really helps us.
“It gives us a little bit of an advantage I think and to obviously come away with the win was nice.”
Sidebottom was full of praise for his teammates who saw off a fast-finishing Demons to secure their place in the Preliminary Final.
“They were coming late, our backs did well to hold up,” he said.
“For us to start the game as good as we did obviously helped as well so I was still able to enjoy it.
“I think those close games, once the siren goes it makes it even better.”
Sidebottom said it was a hotly contested game and was glad to secure another week off before the Pies’ next game.
“I still feel a little bit sore today so to be able to have a week off and rest is going to be good for everyone,” he said.
“We still get plenty of training in, but it’ll give us time to enjoy the win on the weekend and then we’ll sit there and watch whoever it be on the weekend.
“We’ll enjoy this week and I’m sure we’ll still get plenty of our fans rock up and support us at training which we love.
“We’ve played 24 games now so I think and extra week is advantageous for us.”
The wingman amassed 22 disposals in last Thursday’s win in what was his 24th final, saying he tired to keep his approach the same despite the higher stakes.
“I try not to change too much, I’ve played terrible in finals as well,” he said.
“I guess I just try and approach it like any other game, clearly it’s not, but I almost look forward to it more.
“There’s no shying away from it…I just feel like I’m very lucky to be in the situation I am and being able to play in front of 92,000 fans.”
Reflecting on his previous finals experience and place in the 2010 premiership team, Sidebottom said he was focused on embracing each moment this season.
“I was 19 at the time (in 2010) and it wasn’t that I didn’t make the most of it, I was just young and probably immature and just thought that was going to happen all the time,” he said.
“It was my second year and I’d been lucky enough to play in the prelim the year before and just thought it was going to be an all the time thing.
“I’m getting closer to the end now so I’ll be doing all can to make sure I embrace it and enjoy it.”
