250 games in the black and white and a long list of outstanding performances. We’ve done our best to fit six of Steele Sidebottom’s best games into one article.
2016 Round 5 v Essendon
2016’s edition of the ANZAC Day clash was one to remember for Pies fans as Collingwood stormed over the Bombers by 69 points. Sidebottom, the ANZAC Medalist finished the game with an astonishing 4 goals and 33 disposals.
Sidebottom kicked 3 goals in the first quarter, and had his 4th just 1 minute of the 2nd term. In a dominant day for the Pies, Steele was everywhere. He spent a lot of the day on the wing, drifting forward when given the chance and helping out in the backline when the heat was on.
2010 Round 7 v North Melbourne
A career high 5 goals for Sidebottom on a Saturday night against the Kangaroos. In a 66-point victory for the Pies, a 19-year-old Sidebottom dominated as a small forward. It was Sidebottom’s 2nd year in the black and white, and he stole the show in a forward line that functioned around a red hot Travis Cloke and Paul Medhurst.
Sidebottom has never kicked 5 goals since, a season to remember for the Pies as they went on to win the premiership.
2018 Preliminary Final v Richmond
Sidebottom turned it up for the preliminary final in 2018. Against the ferocious Tigers, the Pies had all the answers. A night most commonly remembered for Mason Cox’s marking dominance, it was Sidebottom who was winning it at the cold face.
A whopping 41 disposals, including 13 marks and 545 meters gained, Sidebottom was unstoppable throughout the midfield.
2018 Round 4 v Adelaide
On a Friday night at a hostile Adelaide Oval the Pies silenced the crowd. Sidebottom’s 43 disposals tore the crows midfield to shreds in a match where the Pies midfield were dominant. Brodie Grundy had a career night with 33 disposals, 40 hit-outs and a goal while Treloar had 36, Phillips 31, Pendlebury 30 and Stephensen 5 goals.
The win against Adelaide was part of a fantastic run the Pies had in 2018. After beating the Crows, the Pies went on to win 10 of the next 12 matches.
2017 Round 3 v Sydney
Backs to the wall after a winless start to the season, the Pies were tackling machines on a Friday night at the SCG. Collingwood averaged 69.5 tackles per game in 2017, but against Sydney they amounted 115 tackles. Sidebottom led the way, with a career high 12 tackles to go alongside his 25 disposals. In a spirited effort, the boys were able to get over the line by 1 point.
In a highly dramatic match, the tackle count was through the roof. Treloar had 15, Adams 11 and Pendlebury 10. Alex Fasolo kicked 4 goals, while a young Henry Schade kept Buddy Franklin goalless in his 250th game.
2010 Grand Final Replay v St Kilda
25 disposals, 2 goals and a premiership medallion. Second to Scott Pendlebury in the Norm Smith medal with 8 votes.
The youngest Magpie on the day at 19-years old, Sidebottom capped off a stellar season playing all but one game for the season.
