#22 Steele Sidebottom

[RudeBoy]

[Take_a_Screamer]

In case you missed it...

A 300 game player with two premiership medals in the AFL and still as humble as they come for a top level athlete. Steele Sidebottom joins the show this week to break down the Grand Final that was and talk more broadly about his journey into the Pies and why Steele will never take any minute for granted playing the game he loves. I love everything about Rusty, such a good bloke that is honest about his craft as we go through all of his epic journey at the Collingwood Football Club. This was an episode I have been wanting for a long time and I think it really delivered as Rusty and I laugh, smile and re-live one of the most admirable careers in the game. Hope you enjoy the episode

The Unlaced Podcast: Steele Sidebottom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7qggzzUesE&t=368s

[LaurieHolden]

As he moves into his 16th season and reflective of Jeremy Howes remarkable recovery in 2023, cast your mind back to Rd11 as 300 game celebrations quickly saw our hearts sink as our favourite son of the Club confirmed a medial collateral ligament sprain.
After Howes sickening injury Rd1, was our season about to be derailed with another potential season and possibly career ending injury to another of our veterans.
We breathed a collective sigh of relief that the injury was expected to sideline him for just six weeks.
At the time Sidey had been firmly in the All-Australian conversation – if the selectors went with a pure wingman – heading into round 11, along with teammate Josh Daicos.
Another story that will undoubtedly be a key chapter in the 2023 season annuls.

[Take_a_Screamer]

Is Sidebottom on the way back?
He had 15 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles...still very unlike the Sidey we've come to know.

[inxs88]

[The Black and White Lion]

Steele clip from YouTube honest fun and refreshing. Bit of perspective. Guess we’ll see if he improves with match fitness from here or not

https://youtu.be/WF5OLW-F_-c?si=WJ3njFlDbBF5oPMo

[RudeBoy]

I hope he finds a bit more form and fitness too, as he has been one of our greats, and was instrumental in us winning both the 2010 and 2023 Flags. Having said that, father time catches up with everyone, and it's fair to say that he is close to the end of his illustrious career. Ideally, he holds his spot and contributes to another Flag this year, at which time he could retire on top.

[Pies4shaw]

He was also instrumental in us beating Carlton - but, hey, you know, dump him: he hasn't won a Grand Final off his own boot for literally months.

[qldmagpie67]

I’ve said for the past couple years the signs where there
It’s the little things at first
Few more fumbles, sticking a few less tackles, that little slower to react
I said last year after his knee injury he looked to be favouring a leg when he come back.
He’s obviously working on tiring legs. And in fairness there wouldn’t be many if any player who has covered more miles up and down the ground for the past 15 seasons.
I’ll need to check but I can’t think of another player from that draft still playing now Sloane retired recently.
We all get he brings intangible strengths to the side and his and Pendles influence on the team during the game and the culture of the entire club is invaluable. I get that and I’ve never ever questioned his commitment to the team.
I thought a couple years ago moving him into a small forward role would have been smart snd giving him every chance to prolong his career (wouldn’t have to do all the hard running yards)
He was drafted firstly as a small forward who could pinch hit on a wing or in the middle but for team needs he has never really played that role.
I wonder how many goals he could have kicked with his smarts around goal had he played there
Right now given our current injury list isn’t the time to take more experience from the team. We still need leaders and he is that.
He and Pendles both act as pseudo on field coaches and that a main reason we are able to turn things around in quarter when things go awry.
Maybe he spends a little more time forward and save his legs where we can and see how the remainder of the year pans out

[Piesnchess]

Been a wonderful Magpie , all these yrs, and definitely won us the flag with his last amazing long, long goal. But, retirement beckons, as with Hawkins at the Cats, you cannot halt father time.

[Mr Miyagi]

I’ve been yelling for Sidey to play more forward for a while now. But we don’t have anyone yet who can step up and play the role he plays running both ways and covering ground. I was hoping we could have identified a young buck and prodded them to work in that direction. Maybe this week he’ll “rest” forward?

[K]

[qldmagpie67]

[What'sinaname]

I apologise for saying you were past your best and should retire after passing Tony Shaw in games played.

[RudeBoy]

Take a bow Sidey.

Class will out.