Regardless of his room to move, Sidebottom, the Magpies' first-round draft pick last season, just seemed to have a knack of being able to weave in and out of holes or find a gap at the right time. Ten goals in a TAC Cup grand final were testament to that ability.
But, for now at least, it seems the 18-year-old is happy to steer clear of congestion – on the road that is.
"I got my licence last week … I came back and got it in Shep," Sidebottom said.
"I pretty much just had to drive around the street a few times and do a three-point turn and that was about it.
"There's a bit more traffic in Melbourne … so I took the easy option!"
This Sidebottom has found time to duck back home to Shepparton – something he likes to do every two or three weeks – before taking on Carlton at the MCG.
It's something he likes to do when he has the time. After all, his girlfriend lives in 'Shep', along with his family – mum, dad and four older brothers.
He says he used to take the train back to his home town, but appreciates the new-found ease with which he can head home.
Not that the born-and-bred country boy hasn't settled in well at the Lexus Centre.
In fact he's loving life as an AFL footballer – something he can now officially call himself after making his senior debut against St Kilda on Monday night.
"I only found out I was playing on Monday lunchtime … that was probably a good thing; it didn't give me much time to sit and dwell on it," Sidebottom said.
"I'd been told to prepare as if I was playing and Walshy (Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh) rang me at lunchtime and I was stoked.
"I let all my brothers and my parents know to come down, and everyone got down, which was good … my girlfriend came down with her Dad, too."
That first match is one the young Pie will never forget. But from a team perspective it is one Collingwood fans will want to dismiss from their thoughts as the Saints romped to an 88-point win.
"I spoke down to a few of the guys after the game and they just said, 'It doesn't get any worse than this' and I suppose it can only go uphill from there," he said.
"I know I've got something to look forward to from that."
Sidebottom was one of the few positives Collingwood fans could take from the clash.
His 22 neat disposals were a highlight on an otherwise miserable evening. In years to come, the Magpie fans present will hope to say they were there the night the kid with the rockstar name played his first game in the black and white.
"I guess I was reasonably happy with my game but obviously it'd be better for the team to win," he said.
Sidebottom will step out again this weekend and the challenge won't get much easier.
After facing the top-of-the-ladder Saints, the first-year Magpie will play his role in a Collingwood midfield that will go toe-to-toe with the likes of Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Nick Stevens and Bryce Gibbs.
It's a big ask for a player in just his second match at the top level. But it's one which he's looking forward to.
"At the 'G and I suppose there'll be a few more people again [this week]," he said.
Some might have expected to have seen him earlier than round seven, but he has been biding his time at VFL level. And that, he believes, will have him better prepared for whatever he faces in coming weeks.
"Being new to a club you can't stroll in and expect to get a game first up," Sidebottom said.
"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 [the VFL] 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."
