Steele Sidebottom, the master of Collingwood’s two-kilometre run since arriving at the club at the end of 2008, was again the champion of the senior players’ race around Olympic Park on Monday morning.
But despite his record, it’s not something he looks forward to with any great anticipation.
“It was a long day yesterday. It’s a rough night’s sleep but it’s good to get that first bit out of the way,” Sidebottom told CollingwoodTV.
“It’s by far the worst night on the calendar for me.
Watch the highlights from Monday’s time trial on CollingwoodTV in the video above.
“I think for a few blokes, I’m sure they have all done the work, but it’s just, I don’t know, that first day coming back, it’s like your first day of school.
“You go in and get that first bit out of the way and look to move forward.”
Sidebottom, 23, finished first, ahead of Tony Armstrong and Lachlan Keeffe.
“The plan is just to get through but I like to sit out front,” he explained.
“Keeffey usually sprints out and then I get him by about half a lap. He blows up pretty quick.
“I thought I’d stay out in front and hold on, and I ran a reasonable time, which was good.”
Watch the highlights from Monday’s time trial on CollingwoodTV in the video above.
