Click here to watch Sidebottom's 50 game highlights on the club's YouTube channel.
Ahead of Steele Sidebottom's 50th game for Collingwood, collingwoodfc.com.au has compiled a look back at the premiership player's short but remarkable career using a timeline of quotes.
“I don't know where it came from but I wouldn't mind it every week, it was good” - Steele Sidebottom on his 10-goal TAC Cup Grand Final, September 2008
“He played just about the most brilliant game that I've ever seen at under-age level, to be honest, and it has to propel him, in my view, into the top 10. If I could take back the top 10 that we put out a week ago, I would, because that performance was just absolutely sensational. He's strong in the air, he's quick, he's got great courage and his skills on right and left are as good as an AFL player. He's got no overall weakness. He's got a calmness about him, too." - Kevin Sheehan, AFL Talent Manager, September 2008
“Even before his grand final performance, Sidebottom had attracted some attention from AFL recruiters, with St Kilda, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Port Adelaide all talking to him. While Sidebottom shapes as one of the draft bolters, high-leaping WA ruckman Nick Naitanui and Victorian key forward Jack Watts have both been touted as No.1 prospects.” - Peter Veness, AAP, September 2008
“The great thing about Steele is his ability to win the footy in and around the clearances. He'll probably end up playing through the middle and up forward in the AFL, but he can also play in defence.” - Jason McCartney (AIS Coach), November 2008
“I like to think I’m good on both sides of my body. I suppose I can build myself up a bit, and get a bit more bulk. I also need to get a bit more accountable for my man.” - Steele Sidebottom, November 2008
“Being new to a club you can't stroll in and expect to get a game first up. It's been good for me to play VFL and having to work hard to try to get that senior spot. I reckon that's been good for me to have to work my way up. Coming from TAC Cup it's obviously been a step up from that with the bigger bodies and the pace. But I've found it all right, it hasn't been too bad. I suppose Monday night was an even bigger step up. Every level you go up just gets quicker.” - Steele Sidebottom reflecting on his AFL debut v St Kilda, Round 7 2009, May 2009.
“Spent a bit of time in the reserves. He is a class player. He has great decision making and awareness. We would like to see him kick more goals. He needs to take more marks in the forward line but that's probably a confidence thing.” - Paul Hudson (Collingwood Assistant Coach), November 2009
“I think it was just an even performance by the whole 22 out there today, and the result we got was unbelievable. To do that lap of honour at the end, with all the crowd, was unreal. I still can't believe how loud it was." - Steele Sidebottom on winning the 2010 Grand Final
“Even if you despise Collingwood, it is impossible to dislike Steele Sidebottom.” - Mark Stevens, Herald Sun, February 2011
“'I had four older brothers, so you get used to either going with the flow or standing up for yourself." - Steele Sidebottom on growing up as the youngest of five boys, April 2011.
"My goal is to see more time in the midfield as opposed to the forward line. It's something which will help me get to my next 50 games." - Steele Sidebottom on playing 50 games for Collingwood on CTV, July 2011.
