Steele Sidebottom (born 2 January 1991) is a professional Australian rules football player. He is a midfielder for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Steele Sidebottom has had a distinguished career, claiming the Copeland Trophy as the club’s best and fairest player in 2017 and 2018. He played in Collingwood’s premiership-winning teams in both 2010 and 2023.
| Steele Sidebottom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Quick Facts | |
| Name: | Steele Sidebottom |
| Born: | 2 January 1991 (age 33 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Draft: | No. 11, 2008 National Draft, Collingwood |
| Height: | 184 cm |
| Weight: | 86 kg |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Spouse: | Alisha Edwards (m. 2022) |
| Children: | Ned (son) Matilda (daughter) |
| Siblings: | 4 |
Early Life
Steele Sidebottom was born on 2 January 1991 in Victoria, Australia. He has four brothers – Trent, Tyson, Josh, and Ryan.
His older brother, Tyson, is the captain of Shepparton United in the Goulburn Valley League. His immediate older brother, Ryan, plays cricket for the Victorian Bushrangers.
Career
Steele Sidebottom made his AFL debut in Round 7, 2009, in a match where Collingwood lost to St Kilda by 88 points.
Sidebottom had a breakout game in the 2009 semi-final against Adelaide. He collected 25 disposals and helped Collingwood secure a thrilling come-from-behind victory.
In 2010, Sidebottom had a remarkable season, playing in every game except one, including the drawn Grand Final and the Grand Final replay. At 19 years old, he became the youngest member of Collingwood’s premiership-winning team.
Sidebottom won the Copeland Trophy on 6 October 2017. He followed it up with a career-best second-place finish in the 2018 Brownlow Medal count.
Sidebottom faced a setback in 2020 when he was suspended for four matches due to a breach of the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols. He and Lynden Dunn shared an Uber, visited many homes, and ended the night with Sidebottom receiving a police escort home.
Steele Sidebottom became the fourth player in the club’s history to reach the milestone of 300 games.
After overcoming an MCL injury that sidelined him until Round 18, Sidebottom made a triumphant return. He capped off the season with a highlight-reel 60-meter bomb in the Final, securing the premiership for Collingwood in 2023.
Steele Sidebottom forcefully left the game against North Melbourne due to a knee injury in May 2023. Scans confirmed a medial collateral ligament sprain, ruling him out for at least six weeks.
Personal Life
Steele Sidebottom married longtime partner Alisha Edwards in a stunning Daylesford ceremony in October 2022. They have two children – a daughter, Matilda, and a son, Ned, who arrived on 24 January 2024.
Achievements
At Collingwood
- 2× AFL Premiership (2010, 2023)
- McClelland Trophy (2010, 2011)
- AFL Minor Premiership (2010, 2011, 2023)
- NAB Cup (2011)
Individual
- All-Australian team (2018)
- 2× Copeland Trophy (2017, 2018)
- Collingwood co-vice captain (2015–)
- Gary Ayres Award (2018)
- Anzac Day Medal (2016)
- 2× 22under22 team (2012, 2013)
References
- Paul Daffey. “Sidebottom brothers eye premiership glory“. Collingwood Football Club.
- Josh Gabelich. “Pies veteran to miss at least six weeks, forward also out“. www.afl.com.au.
- Shayne Bugden. “Premiership-winning footy star Steele Sidebottom shares amazing family news after pregnancy drama“. Daily Mail Australia.
- Ben Talintyre. “Collingwood premiership hero Steele Sidebottom and wife Alisha share major announcement“. Yahoo Sport.
- Ali Daher. “AFL star Steele Sidebottom marries longtime partner Alisha Edwards in stunning Daylesford ceremony“. Daily Mail Australia.
- “Steele Sidebottom”. Wikipedia.
