On Friday night, the Magpies had controlled the opening half of the match before Richmond mounted a third quarter comeback to challenge Collingwood. A nine-goal final quarter blew out the margin.
"For the last few weeks, there has been a big focus on scoring goals just after half time but to Richmond’s credit, they hit hard," Sidebottom said.
"Maybe we took the foot off the pedal, but [credit] to Richmond, they really took it up to us and it took much more to get a kick.
"It was definitely a good thing that we were able to run out the game and in the end the margin was a little bit comfortable but that lapse in the third quarter was an issue."
Sidebottom was part of the Collingwood midfield that dominated the Richmond in the first half, running the Tigers ragged. His 16 kicks, 9 handballs and three goals ranked him among Collingwood’s best players for the night.
After 40 games at the elite level, Sidebottom believes his body has just become used to the rigours of AFL football.
"[I'm feeling] great, the best I’ve felt after a few games".
With an unblemished start to the 2011 season and their premiership defence, Collingwood can now look forward to the biggest day of the home and away season, Anzac Day, and the traditional clash with rivals Essendon.
The coming week will be all about recovery for the Magpies and with the team barnstorming their way through the first month of football, the extra break has been welcomed by the Magpies.
"You definitely look forward to Anzac Day and they are playing some pretty good footy," he said.
Sidebottom 's first taste of Anzac Day football was last year’s 65-point demolition of the Bombers, where he quickly became acquainted with the ceremony of the match.
"There is a lot of standing around at the start and I remember I felt very heavy in the legs through the match.
"It’s important to keep the legs moving at the start. You learn a lot of different things."
