COLLINGWOOD's Steele Sidebottom says he has no choice but to look at the way he plays after his most recent suspension for a bump on the Sydney Swans' Dan Hannebery.

Sidebottom, 25, was handed a two-week ban for laying out the star Swan in the clubs' opening round contest at the SCG, forcing him to watch from the stands as the Magpies' struggles came to light.

The Magpie midfielder received a three-week suspension for a similarly forceful hit on St Kilda's Maverick Weller in 2014.

"I wouldn't say it's a trend but when it happens more than once you probably do have to have a look at it," Sidebottom told AFL.com.au.

"Without me trying to focus on it too much, it definitely does go through my mind now that I've just got to get lower and harder than [my opponent].

"The last two times I've [bumped] I've been reported."

Sidebottom said he was immediately remorseful for his bump on Hannebery and, like he did with Weller, made contact with the tough onballer to apologise.

"Although it happened so quickly, I knew pretty much straight away that I'd done the wrong thing," Sidebottom said.

"I couldn't help but notice that Hannebery didn't come back onto the ground, which didn't make it any better for me.

"I would hate to think people think that I'm out there to put people out of the game."

Sidebottom returned to Collingwood's team for last Sunday's match against Melbourne, gathering 26 disposals and kicking two goals to be one of the Magpies' best.

Not withstanding Sidebottom and fellow gamebreaker Travis Varcoe's return to the side, the Magpies are now in a tough spot at 1-3 with Monday's Anzac Day clash against Essendon approaching.

The microscope has been squarely fixed on coach Nathan Buckley after his side's abysmal start to the season.

But Sidebottom said the players should be the ones to take the blame, not the coach.

"The playing group should take responsibility because Bucks can't control our effort," Sidebottom said.

"Our effort, clearly, in patches in the game has not been where it needs to be. It's all on us.

"The playing group has total confidence in Bucks and I'm sure that as the weeks go by we'll keep improving and start winning games of footy."

Sidebottom said playing on such a special occasion, such as Anzac Day, would hopefully lift Collingwood out of its funk.

"The whole week and the whole build up, Collingwood does it really well," he said.

"A few of the guys are going over to the Shrine on Thursday and I think a lot of our guys have learnt a lot more about the Anzac legend. 

"We're definitely privileged to play on Anzac Day."