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Top 10 of 349: Steele Sidebottom's best games ranked
Luke Mathews • August 7th, 2025 11:52 am
There haven’t been many better players to pull on the black and white jumper than Steele Sidebottom.
‘Sidey’ was drafted to Collingwood from Congupna with Pick 11 in the 2008 national draft after kicking 10 goals in the TAC Cup Grand Final for the Murray Bushrangers.
He was given the number 22 jumper made famous by club icons Bob Rose and Tony Shaw and has well and truly exceed expectations, becoming just the second Magpie to play 350 games behind long-time teammate Scott Pendlebury.
Across his glittering career there have been many famous Sidebottom moments that come to mind, and we’ve picked out his best 10 games from his career.
1 - 2018 Preliminary Final v Richmond
41 disposals, 13 marks
Mason Cox may get the plaudits for his eight contested marks and three goals but Sidebottom was just as good, if not better, in the Preliminary Final win over Richmond
The wingman found plenty of the footy to finish with his second highest career disposals tally after going unmarked for most of the game.
Sidebottom played so well that he would be tagged by West Coast's Mark Hutchings in the Grand Final the following week which he had less of an impact in.
His prelim performance was the crowning moment in an incredible year for the superstar which included runner-up in the Brownlow, his second straight Copeland trophy and All-Australian selection.
2 - 2016 ANZAC Day v Essendon
33 disposals, 4 goals
After playing well in a number of ANZAC Day clashes, Sidebottom finally broke through for his first ANZAC medal in 2016.
The 25-year-old capitalised on an undermanned Essendon outfit, with four first-half goals setting the tone for a thumping victory on the biggest day on the home and away calendar.
His ability to kick well on both feet was well and truly on display with two of his goals coming off his non-preferred left foot.
He had some strong competition for the medal from Taylor Adams and Scott Pendlebury, however Sidebottom’s damage on the scoreboard proved the be the difference.
3 - 2010 Grand Final Replay v St Kilda
26 disposals, 2 goals
Incredibly unlucky not to win the Norm Smith medal, with the teenager pipped by Scott Pendlebury.
The youngest player on the ground and arguably the one with the most impact, the 19-year-old was everywhere in the opening half, finding plenty of the footy and setting up multiple goals.
Late in the third quarter Pendlebury picked out a wide-open Sidebottom with his goal just about sealing Collingwood’s first premiership in 20 years.
Celebrations started to boil over when Sidebottom snapped through his second and the final goal on a memorable day for Collingwood supporters
4 - 2025 ANZAC Day v Essendon
35 disposals, 15 clearances
Sidebottom’s second ANZAC Day medal at 34 years of age.
The veteran wound back the clock and found a new lease of life after being thrown back inside after spending several years on the wing.
He finished with the second highest amount of clearances by a Collingwood player and was incredibly clean on a wet day.
Faced some tough competition for the medal with Jamie Elliott booting five goals in the 41-point victory.
5 - 2010 Round 7 v North Melbourne
16 disposals, 5 goals
A coming-of-age performance from Sidebottom in just his second season and 18th game at AFL level.
It was well known before he was drafted that the youngster had a knack for finding the goals and was incredibly clean by foot.
Those traits were on full display at the MCG with Sidebottom playing mostly forward, proving a handful for North Melbourne’s backline.
He would pick up his first Brownlow Medal vote, however Alan Didak would go on to claim the three votes.
6 - 2018 Round 4 v Adelaide
43 disposals, 26 contested possessions
A significant win against the previous year’s Grand Finalists with the vice-captain leading from the front all night.
After a number of disappointing years, the Pies went over to Adelaide and proved they were the real deal.
Sidebottom found plenty of the footy to finish with a career-high 43 disposals and was once again very clean in wet conditions.
This was his second best-on-ground game in a stretch of three three-vote performances in a row.
7 - 2018 Round 3 v Carlton
34 disposals, 3 goals
With the Pies under the pump after back-to-back losses to start the season, Collingwood needed someone to stand up.
Playing against arch-rivals Carlton on a Friday night at the MCG, Sidebottom once again had maximum impact collecting 34 disposals and kicking three goals.
His dribble goal from the boundary sealed Collingwood’s first win for the year and slightly eased the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley.
Would go on to claim his first of seven three-vote games during 2018 which helped a second-placed finish in the Brownlow medal.
8 - 2014 ANZAC Day v Essendon
26 disposal, 3 goals
Another big performance on the big stage and when his team desperately needed it.
Down by 37 points early in the second quarter Collingwood needed someone to stand up and Sidebottom and Dane Swan got to work.
Three second-quarter goals from the number 22 swung the momentum in Collingwood’s favour with the scores level by quarter-time.
Collingwood would go on to win the game by 23 points with Swan collecting the medal and Sidebottom finishing equal runner-up.
9 - 2012 Round 8 v Geelong
38 disposals, 13 contested possessions
The sweetest redemption after losing a heartbreaking Grand Final just seven months earlier.
Just like they have done for most of their careers, Pendlebury and Sidebottom teamed up and put the reigning premiers to the sword.
With the Pies ahead by just six points with only a minute to play, Sidebottom came off the wing to win the decisive clearance and help put Pendlebury into space to kick the match-winning goal.
Pendlebury’s four goals was enough for him to claim the three Brownlow votes however the 21-year-old Sidebottom would still pick up one vote.
10 - 2019 Qualifying Final v Geelong
33 disposals, 1 goal
The Pies snuck into the top four after an up and down 2019 season and were set to take on the top-of-the-ladder Cats at the MCG on a Friday night in a Qualifying Final.
Returning from injury, Sidebottom stood up in a big game once again with 33 disposals and 15 marks, helping guide Collingwood into another Preliminary Final.
His quick thinking to take advantage and drill a goal on the run from 40 metres out gave Collingwood some breathing space in a tense second half.
Sidebottom would go on to collect three coaches votes in the 10-point win, however the Pies’ season would come to an end in a heartbreaking Preliminary Final loss to GWS the week later.
