5549 days ago, two young country Victorians strode onto the field for the first time together, embarking on a journey with Collingwood like no other.
That was in May of 2009, when Steele Sidebottom, the Murray Bushrangers star made his AFL debut, while basketball star turned football pro Scott Pendlebury was already at game number 62 in year number four at the Club.
While it might not have been apparent right there and then, a formidable partnership was formed that day – with the pair’s names rarely not mentioned when speaking about Collingwood over the proceeding years.
Becoming premiership teammates just 16 months later as the young bucks in a 2010 side littered with stars, their longevity to do the same last season – yet this time as the wise heads - has etched them into the Club’s folklore for eternity.
And for both of players, the significance of sharing the field 300 times together is not lost on them.
“It’s been amazing, a lot of good times together, a lot of fun times,” Pendlebury said.
“I feel like every football memory I have, he’s part of it, whether it’s his milestone or a milestone game for me or some of the big finals, Grand Finals, he’s always been there on my journey.
“Playing with him and knowing he’s always out there as a guy I just trust, I don’t ever have to worry about him really, he always goes out there and does his job.”
“I’ve probably spent more time with Pendles than I have with some of my brothers,” Sidebottom said.
“The bond that we’ve been able to create together at this footy club, I’m sure once footy’s done as well so we’ll have a bond for the rest of our lives not only from the premierships, but just from being together for so long.
“One day it’s going to come to an end and it’ll feel very weird but it’s special to be able to play with someone for so long and someone as good as ‘Dip’ is, I’ve been very lucky.”
While it is almost impossible to envisage playing together for so long at the start of their careers, Sidebottom said he wasn’t all that surprised given how normal it has been for him to run out alongside the number 10.
"It’s no surprise in a way, everyone wants to play for as long they can, but it doesn’t always work out for numerous reasons,” he said.
“It goes so fast but sitting back here now it feels normal for me, I sort of don’t know any different.”
For Pendlebury, whose name is as synonymous with longevity as it is the black and white, it is that first point for both him and Sidebottom that he’s most proud of.
While revelling in the fun and jovial nature that Sidebottom brings to his teammates every day, Pendlebury said it has been a privilege to share the biggest stage with him for so long.
“It’s pretty special to share that much time with another player across your whole career and it’s a testament to both of us for our longevity and ability to stay in the game,” he said.
“Just the fun that he has and the fun that he brings to the football club, he’s a heart and soul guy of this place and always makes the mood better to be around him.
“If you’re ever having a flat day just get in his company because he’ll always make you laugh and he’s been such a glue guy for this football club.
“He’s an unbelievable player, he’s had some crazy games and he’s always so consistent and I just trust him so much so it’s just been a privilege.”
While that 2010 premiership kickstarted Sidebottom’s career especially, in the best way imaginable, team success wasn’t always the case throughout the mid 2010s.
Both at the peak of their powers through some of the tougher years, Sidebottom suggested that it was the influence of Pendlebury that made him want to stand up as one of the team’s key leaders after initially believing it wasn’t the path for him.
“After 2012 when the side started to tail off a bit and at that stage the team was looking for some leadership, that was probably when it was my opportunity to start standing up and trying to help lead the footy club and Pendles has clearly been a big driver in that,” he said.
“I was never one that wanted to be in the leadership when I was coming through and looking back on that now it’s just a silly decision and Pendles was a big reason why I wanted to help lead the footy club.
“The way he goes about it is something I’ve always been striving to be just as good as Pendles.
“The bond that we’ve been able to create is one we’re very lucky to have.”
And across a 16-year journey that is still going strong to this day, Pendlebury said the last few seasons have been the icing on the cake as the pair have brought their families along for the ride.
“The last few years as we’ve got a bit older to really help bring this Club back to where it belongs to be and just play our roles in that has been great,” he said.
“Post-game, on the road, it’s one in the morning and having a beer with him and just talking about wherever the conversation goes or sitting here in the spa post the game and just chewing the fat after a win and just sitting there and relaxing in those moments are amazing.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching him with Matilda after games embracing her and his family and just having her a part of it and watching him be a Dad has been pretty cool.
And for Sidebottom:
“Since he’s had kids, he’s really opened up more as a person and even let people see the other side of Pendles.
“He’s the ultimate professional still, but he’s been able to find good balance of having fun and having a laugh with the boys and clearly being that Dad and husband that he’s needed to be at home as well.”
