An older and wiser Steele Sidebottom will take time to take pleasure in any potential premiership success Collingwood have this yr greater than he did in 2010.
The ladder-leading Magpies are favourites to win their first AFL flag in 13 years after backing up their extraordinary 2022 surge beneath head coach Craig McRae.
As Sidebottom prepares to develop into simply the fourth Collingwood participant to achieve 300 video games, the 32-year-old mirrored on turning into a premiership hero as an adolescent.
“I remember being told at an early age to really make the most of it because it doesn’t happen that often – and I’ve found out since that was really the truth,” Sidebottom stated on Wednesday.
“I’m clearly a lot older now so I just make sure that everything I’m involved in I really just sit back and embrace it and take it all in.
“I’m clearly on the finish of my profession now and I’m working out of alternatives to play in huge video games.
“I guess it was great to win one so young but I would appreciate it a lot more if I was to win one before I was done.”
Sidebottom stated he nonetheless thinks about Collingwood’s last-gasp 2018 grand-final defeat to West Coast “a lot”.
“What I went through in the first few years of thinking finals is going to happen all the time, whereas I’ll just remember even things like the parade (in 2018) really just taking it all in and being grateful for the position that I was in,” Sidebottom stated.
“I feel like I’m in debt to the footy club. I hope I’ve been able to repay the faith that they showed me.
“I used to be a Bombers supporter rising up however I’ll be a Magpies man eternally now.”
Sidebottom estimates 100 family and friends will be travelling from his home town of Shepparton to Marvel Stadium on Sunday for his milestone match against North Melbourne.
Long-time teammate Scott Pendlebury has streaked away as Collingwood’s games record-holder in recent years but Sidebottom also joins Magpies royalty Tony Shaw and Gordon Coventry in the 300-club.
Sidebottom and Pendlebury have won 170 games together – the most of any two Collingwood teammates.
“There’s been lots of people alongside the way in which which have helped me to get within the place that I’m in,” Sidebottom stated.
“I hope they will get some enjoyment out of it simply as a lot as I’ve all through my complete profession.”
COLLINGWOOD GAMES RECORD LIST
1. Scott Pendlebury 367*
2. Tony Shaw 313
3. Gordon Coventry 306
4. Steele Sidebottom 299*
5. Wayne Richardson 277
(* denotes: Still enjoying)
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
