5932 days ago, a scruffy-haired Steele Sidebottom prepared for an AFL game for the very first time.
The boy from Tallygroopna, a town of no more than 600 people in Victoria’s north, arrived at the Pies as a sprightly teenager, smiling from ear to ear, kicking the ball equally well on either side of the body, and running all day long.
And among those synonymous character traits which he hasn’t deviated from, another thing that hasn’t changed in the past 16 years is Sidebottom running out in the black and white.
Home or away, near of far, Sidebottom has carved out a preparation sequence as equally relaxed as it is consistent, born out of knowing exactly what his mind and body needs to succeed across 16 seasons.
For the 350th time, collingwoodfc.com.au was there to capture every moment of the milestone star’s pre-game routine, as the Pies took on the Hawks in Round 22.
Arrival
At 5:32pm, 118 minutes before Thursday night’s first bounce, a grinning Sidebottom strolls through the MCG underbelly and into the Collingwood rooms that lay beneath the Members’ area of Australia’s most famous ground.
But unlike most pre-games, where Sidebottom would be able to exchange pleasantries with his teammates and Club staff, the 34-year-old is forced into a quick bag drop off - for a 2010 Grand Final adversary is waiting for him, microphone in hand.
In what is certainly not Sidebottom’s first media appearance of the week, and won’t be his last, Nick Riewoldt saddles up alongside his former opponent for a pre-game interview outside the changerooms.
It’s only a short chat, with Sidebottom’s preparation paramount, but it underlines the significance of the night. Only 25 other players in V/AFL history have reached the 350-game mark, with Riewoldt gaining an insight into the mindset of the 26th man to do it, before he heads back into the changerooms mere minutes after arriving for the first time.
It’s a lowkey period in the two-time premierships player’s evening now; the calm before the storm that is a game of AFL football. As he mingles with teammates, who point out the myriad imagery with his face and name on the walls in celebration of the evening – tongues firmly in cheek – Sidebottom is able to soak in the build up to one of the most significant nights of his career.
Before the clock strikes six, Sidebottom acquaints himself with the foam roller, kneading out any remaining sore points from last week’s Round 21 clash against the Brisbane Lions – only five days prior.
It’s the shortest turnaround teams are forced to content with in the AFL, potentially not the ideal preparation for an aging star like Sidebottom, but his carefully crafted routine means it’s no big deal for the two-time Best & Fairest winner. Sprawled out on the floor of the changerooms, Sidebottom’s extensive stretching sequence is done calmly, chatting alongside teammates, and uniquely, with a tennis ball in his left hand the entire time.
Long renowned for his penchant for all sports, whether it be his hamstrings, calves or quads that are getting limbered up, the unmistakeable green fluro of the ball stays firmly entrenched in his left mit, leaving only sporadically for nonchalant throws at the wall. Fiercely competitive and undeniably skilful, Sidebottom would be the first to take on his teammates in extracurricular activities in a warmup or at training – staking his claim as the most gifted sportsman in the team.
As Sidebottom’s stretching draws to a close, another player whose night means a lot heads over for a photo. Harry Perryman, who after growing up a Pies fan has now played 18 games alongside one of his childhood heroes, brings up his 150th career game in the same match. While less fanfare has been made of the event, the pair share a nice moment as they prepare.
With the team meeting now only 20 minutes away, Sidebottom heads up the race and onto the sacred turf for the first time at five past six. With his runners still on, his lowkey nature remains, with the returning Tom Mitchell joining him out on the ground for some ground balls and light run throughs. In what is now 350 pre-games, it is the 223rd time he’s had the chance to do so in the colosseum of the Pies’ home ground, with the ‘G as homely a feel for Sidebottom as anywhere in the world.
After 10 minutes of skill work, the Pies’ midfield group congregate on the paint of the 50 at the City End of the MCG for their line meeting. Led by Midfield Coach Matthew Boyd, who was an opponent of Sidebottom for nine years before both coaching both for and against him, the night’s plans in the centre of the ground are discussed. Sidebottom’s right-hand man, Scott Pendlebury, leads much of the player-driven chat, emphasising the impact his great mate has had across his time at the Pies, most of which in this very line group.
It's quickly back down the race then, as Senior Coach Craig McRae’s team meeting kicks off at 6:24pm sharp. Much of it focusses on celebrating the person and player that is Sidebottom, with a handwritten tale of his greatest achievements beautifully scribed onto the whiteboard. The milestone man takes a seat at the front of the room filled with game day staff and all 23 members of the day’s playing squad – football in one hand, and hot water bottle in the other.
As congratulatory, humorous, and highlight videos play out over the proceeding 20 minutes, McRae encourages his team to understand the gravity of Sidebottom’s tenure in the league. 16 pre-seasons, the most capped player in the number 22 jumper in V/AFL history, and having missed just 42 games since his debut, his longevity is emphasised and recognised. Trademark smile on face, Sidebottom takes it all in his stride as his coach shows his support for one of his most loved players.
McRae’s meeting goes for a good 20 minutes, with it being his last touch point with the group as the first bounce countdown clock ticks under 45 minutes. Once wrapping up, the full squad heads onto the ground led by Head of High Performance Jarrod Wade, with the fitness guru taking the lead on their warm up. But before Sidebottom can join them, he’s greeted by a suite of former teammates in the rooms to support him, including Premiership Pies Ben Reid and Ben Johnson, as well as former coach Nathan Buckley and cult hero Simon Prestigiacomo. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon is there too, showing his respect to one of the game’s modern champions.
It is now that Sidebottom starts to hit full stride as the Pies take to the Punt Road end of the ground for their warm up, runners now swapped for his boots. But unlike the majority of his teammates who sport the Club apparel ‘Sidebottom 350’ t-shirts, the midfielder opts not to run around with his own face on his chest, instead donning his customary long-sleeved warm up top. Much like Pendlebury, who always runs out in the short-sleeved edition of the warm up piece, Sidebottom maintains routine with his pre-game attire despite the occasion.
When seven o’clock rolls around, and there’s less than half an hour until game time, the players are back in the rooms with game faces firmly on. At exactly 7:07, the elongated whistle administered by Wade signals time for the final indoor warm up commence, with the soundtrack increasing in volume, alongside the team’s vocal encouragement and excitement.
Soon after, it’s go time. With the song Sirius – made famous by the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s reverberating around the changerooms – players dish out one last hug, dap or high five before heading out through the banner and it’s time to get in the zone. Sidebottom leads the way out the doors, walking past tv crews and presenters who have been granted special access into the changerooms to mark the milestone.
As he scales the top of the race, Sidebottom is greeted by the overjoyed faces of his family – children Matilda and Ned, and wife Alisha – with his two kids preparing for the run out with Dad. No matter what happens during the game, these are memories the Sidebottom’s will have forever, with the champion’s teammates waiting for him to burst through the banner, and for the 350th time, side by side.
