HIS TEAMMATES might still be getting a kick out of his rock-star name but new Magpie Steele Sidebottom is intent on taking everything in as he settles into life at Collingwood.

Sidebottom, the Magpies’ first-round draft selection from Saturday’s NAB AFL Draft, admitted he was thrilled to land at Collingwood with pick 11 – even if it meant the former Murray Bushranger has had to endure some good-natured ribbing in his early days in the black and white.

Sidebottom was hard to miss in the lead-up to the national draft – his eye-catching 10-goal haul in the TAC Cup decider not the only thing to raise eyebrows.

He’s also used to copping a few comments about his name. And Sidebottom says that hasn’t been any different at Magpieland, with teammate Dale Thomas leading the charge.

“I’ve got a few nicknames like BlueScope and stuff!” Sidebottom said from the Lexus Centre on Wednesday.

“They’re coming strong already … every time you sort of leave a room, they’re always [yelling] ‘Steele!’ and you turn around and they’re not looking.

“A few of the jokes have started … I suppose the nicknames will keep coming.”

The youngest of five boys, Sidebottom said there was a simple explanation for his name.

“Mum … I only just found this out recently, she said something about [it] being a strong name and [me] being the youngest against all the other boys,” he said.

Despite being a highly-touted youngster, the star junior is now on a level playing field with the dozens of other draftees selected on Saturday. And this week the kid from Congupna was the new kid on the block as he began what he hopes will be a long life as a Magpie.

“It’s a bit daunting at first … it helps getting to know everyone,” he said.

“You couldn’t ask for any better place to be, so yeah, it’s awesome.

“[It’s a whirlwind] coming from Shepparton, a little town, and then to Melbourne.

“It’s been a big move but obviously you’ve always dreamt of doing this so it’s something you’ve known you’ve had to do [at some stage]. It’s all worth it.”

AFL fans will remember Sidebottom for his heroics in this year’s TAC Cup Grand Final, when he booted the Bushrangers to the premiership.

But the versatile Magpie – who says he is happy to play wherever the coach wants him – says fans shouldn’t expect too much.