Having made the decision to finish his AFL career at the end of Collingwood’s 2026 campaign, Steele Sidebottom is eager to embrace every last minute of his time remaining at the top level.

The Club legend told teammates today that this year would be his last in the black and white, with the 35-year-old in the midst of a remarkable 18^th season.

In an exclusive chat on the Club’s podcast The Black and White Wrap, Sidebottom said making the announcement now would allow him to focus solely on the Club’s tilt for a 17^th premiership.

“In a way I’m kind of relieved that I’m done now and I can put all of my focus towards the remaining games I’ve got for the footy Club,” he said.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while and I just think now is a great time for me to hand the reins over in a way. I feel comfortable leaving the footy Club knowing what’s coming through.

“I’m sure once I’ve played my last game, that is when it will become real and maybe I’ll struggle a little bit more, but at the moment I’m alright.

“Making this decision now allows me to full focus onward hat’s ahead for us so I can’t wait.

Having spent half his life inside the KGM Centre since arriving as a 17-year-old back in 2018, Sidebottom has grown into not only one of the greatest players to don the black and white stripes, but an incredible person too.

Reflecting on some of his fondest memories, the two-time premiership star said there will be plenty of people he will miss, shouting out two long-term teammates in particular.

“The footy side of it is one thing, but clearly I’m a 35-year-old now, a father of three beautiful kids, a lot has happened, but I’ve grown so much as a person,” he said.

“I’ll definitely miss Dip (Scott Pendlebury), (and) Howie. Howie’s someone that I’ve loved so much to be able to not only just play footy but a lot of the off field stuff as well.

“You look back on things like 2018 and 2023 and having our kids in the (Grand Final Parade) cars and things like that, it’s pretty special, and they’re the kind of things I’ll remember.”

Sidebottom will run out for his 374th game this weekend when the Pies take on the Hawks at the MCG.

No matter how many games he has left, he’s focussed on doing all he can for the team and lapping up every last moment.

“I feel like I haven’t taken any game for granted that I’ve played at this footy Club and I certainly won’t be starting to do that now.”

Listen to The Black and White Wrap on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get you podcasts.