If you follow the AFL, you’ve probably seen number 22 in black and white tearing down the wing for what feels like forever. Steele Sidebottom has been a Collingwood mainstay since 2009, and in 2025 he joined an exclusive club of just 26 players to reach 350 VFL/AFL games. Here’s what we know about his career, his family, and what comes next for the veteran Magpie.
Full name: Steele Robert Sidebottom ·
Date of birth: 2 January 1991 ·
Current team: Collingwood Football Club ·
AFL games (as of 2025): 350+ ·
Guernsey number: 22
Quick snapshot
- Real name: Steele Robert Sidebottom (AFL.com.au)
- 350+ games for Collingwood (Collingwood FC)
- Two-time premiership player (AFL.com.au)
- Family relation to Gary Sidebottom is unconfirmed
- Exact earnings are not publicly known
- Reason for distinctive white/grey hair not publicly stated
- Drafted pick 11, 2008 (AFL.com.au)
- AFL debut Round 7 2009 (AFL.com.au)
- 350th game in 2025 (Collingwood FC)
- Confirmed to play in 2026 season (AFL.com.au)
- Approaching Scott Pendlebury’s club games record (Collingwood FC)
Five stats that tell the story of Sidebottom’s career at a glance:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Steele Robert Sidebottom |
| Date of birth | 2 January 1991 |
| Current team | Collingwood Football Club |
| AFL games (as of 2025) | 350+ |
| Guernsey number | 22 |
| Draft year | 2008 (pick 11) |
| AFL debut | Round 7, 2009 |
| Premierships | 2010, 2023 |
| Copeland Trophy wins | 2017, 2018 |
| Brownlow Medal | Runner-up 2018 |
Are Gary and Steele Sidebottom related?
Who is Gary Sidebottom?
- Gary Sidebottom played 47 games for Fitzroy (1981–1985) and 7 games for St Kilda (1986).
- He was known as a reliable key defender during the 1980s.
Are they family?
There is no public evidence that Steele Sidebottom and Gary Sidebottom are related. The surname is not uncommon in Australian football circles, but neither player has confirmed a family connection. Given that Steele’s known family background ties to Congupna in regional Victoria and Gary’s career was based in Melbourne and Brisbane, a direct link remains speculative without confirmation from either side (Wikipedia).
The pattern: Shared surnames in AFL history don’t always indicate kinship. Without family tree documentation or a direct statement, the safest read is that they are not related.
Steele Sidebottom has not addressed the Gary Sidebottom connection publicly. For fans researching his family background, this remains an open question rather than a confirmed fact.
The implication: Any future confirmation of a blood tie would change the narrative, but for now the safest conclusion is that the two Sidebottoms are not directly related.
Does Steele Sidebottom still play?
Is Steele Sidebottom retiring?
Steele Sidebottom is not retiring. Collingwood announced in August 2024 that Sidebottom had re-signed for the 2025 season — his 17th at the club (AFL.com.au). The club confirmed he would continue into the 2026 season, making him one of the longest-serving players on the list.
What is his contract status?
- Re-signed for 2025 season (AFL.com.au)
- Will continue in 2026 (Collingwood FC)
- Contract length and salary details have not been publicly disclosed
Why this matters: At 34 years old (as of 2025), every season Sidebottom adds is atypical for an AFL winger. His continued presence means Collingwood retains experienced midfield depth while younger players develop.
How many games has Steele Sidebottom played?
What is his games record?
Sidebottom entered the 300-game club in 2023, becoming the 101st VFL/AFL player to do so (AFL.com.au). In 2025, he became the 26th player in VFL/AFL history to reach 350 games and just the second Collingwood player to achieve that milestone after Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood FC).
When did he reach 350 games?
His 350th game was celebrated during the 2025 season. AFL.com.au noted at the time that he and Pendlebury held the VFL/AFL record for most games played as teammates, with 321 games together (AFL.com.au).
The trade-off: Not all game tallies are equal. Sidebottom’s 350 games put him in elite company, but that durability has come with scrutiny about his role in a rebuilding Collingwood side. The club has bet on his experience over raw youth for at least one more season.
If Sidebottom plays 22+ games in 2026, he will challenge the Collingwood games record held by Scott Pendlebury (currently the club’s all-time leader). The gap narrows every time both take the field together.
The catch: Whether he pushes toward 400 games depends on durability and team direction — a decision that will become clearer after the 2026 season.
Timeline: Steele Sidebottom’s AFL journey
The following timeline outlines key milestones in Sidebottom’s career.
| Year/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Born in Victoria |
| 2000s | Played junior football for Congupna and Murray Bushrangers (Collingwood Forever) |
| 2008 | Drafted by Collingwood with pick 11 (AFL.com.au) |
| 2009 | AFL debut Round 7, 2009 against St Kilda (AFL.com.au) |
| 2010 | Premiership with Collingwood (AFL.com.au) |
| 2017 | First Copeland Trophy win (Collingwood Forever) |
| 2018 | Second Copeland Trophy, Brownlow Medal runner-up (AFL.com.au) |
| 2023 | 300th game, second premiership against Brisbane (AFL.com.au) |
| 2024 | Re-signed for 2025 season (AFL.com.au) |
| 2025 | 350th game milestone (Collingwood FC) |
| 2026 | Confirmed to continue playing (AFL.com.au) |
The pattern: Each milestone extends a career that already ranks among the most durable in Collingwood history.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Real name: Steele Robert Sidebottom (AFL.com.au)
- Current playing status: active for Collingwood (AFL.com.au)
- 350+ games played (Collingwood FC)
- Guernsey number: 22 (Collingwood Forever)
- Two-time premiership player (2010, 2023) (AFL.com.au)
- Two-time Copeland Trophy winner (2017, 2018) (Collingwood Forever)
What’s unclear
- Earnings and contract financial details
- Reason for grey/white hair
- Family connection (or lack thereof) to Gary Sidebottom
- Personal life details beyond public records
- Exact game tally beyond 350 (slight variance across sources)
- Contract length for 2026 season not officially specified
The catch: The gap between confirmed and unclear highlights how little is publicly known about Sidebottom’s private life, even as his on-field achievements are well documented.
“Sidebottom is a Premiership player, Gary Ayres medallist, two-time Copeland Trophy winner, All Australian, and Brownlow Medal runner-up from 2018.”
AFL.com.au
“He became just the second Collingwood player to reach 350 games in 2025, joining Scott Pendlebury in that exclusive club.”
Collingwood FC
Steele Sidebottom’s career is not winding down — it’s adding chapters that few AFL players ever write. With 350+ games, two premierships, and a confirmed spot on Collingwood’s list for 2026, he has already outlasted expectations for a 2008 draftee from Congupna. For the Magpies, the decision to keep him on the list means betting on veteran class over a rebuild timeline. For Sidebottom, the next milestone — maybe 400 games — is no longer a fantasy. It’s a number within reach, if his body and the club’s plans align.
en.wikipedia.org, footyinfo.com, ozfootball.com, afl.com.au, aussiecurrently.net, afltables.com, zerohanger.com, collingwoodfc.com.au
For a detailed look at Steele Sidebottoms career milestones, including his games played and retirement speculation, check out this comprehensive overview.
Frequently asked questions
What position does Steele Sidebottom play?
Sidebottom primarily plays as a winger or midfielder for Collingwood.
How old is Steele Sidebottom?
He was born on 2 January 1991, making him 34 years old as of 2025.
Has Steele Sidebottom won an AFL premiership?
Yes, he won premierships with Collingwood in 2010 and 2023.
What is Steele Sidebottom’s height?
His listed height is 184 cm (6 ft 0 in).
Is Steele Sidebottom injured?
No current injury reports were public as of early 2025. He is expected to be available for the 2026 season.
Who is Steele Sidebottom’s wife?
Sidebottom keeps his personal life private. No spouse or partner has been publicly confirmed in recent years.
Does Steele Sidebottom have children?
There is no public information about children.
Why was Steele Sidebottom suspended?
Sidebottom has served suspensions during his career for on-field incidents, including a notable suspension in 2020 for breaching COVID-19 protocols. Specific details vary by season.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.