‘Proud’ Sidebottom celebrates 400 games for beloved Tallygaroopna

Sidebottom, one of Tally’s favourite sons after a career spanning about 25 years, is one of five accomplished local sporting brothers, but none can lay claim to Twiggy’s mammoth milestone, which comes against Murchison-Toolamba in round 10 of the Kyabram District League season.

“(It) means heaps to me,” Sidebottom said.

“I’m born and bred in Tallygaroopna, so it’s a massive honour.

“I started when I was about 15; Now I’m getting a bit older, so I’m stepping back and letting the young blokes do it.

“It probably started when Mum started playing netball, then Trent and Tyson started playing, and then I came along.

“Even playing a premiership with my two brothers was a dream come true — it’s probably something you never do again.

“(Now) I’m just running around in the twos and having a bit of fun.”

A true stalwart of the club on and off the field, Sidebottom's illustrious career spans an impressive 241 senior games, 94 reserves matches and 64 under-18 appearances.

After making his senior debut as a teenager, he soon played in the first of two premierships with the club – the famous one-point win over Stanhope in the 2005 decider, a game he played with brothers Tyson and Trent.

Tallygaroopna went into that game as a firm underdog, given the Lions’ unbeaten record and the fact they had pummelled the Redlegs by 10 goals in the semi-final.

Which is precisely why the 9.9 (63) to 9.8 (62) stands as one of Sidebottom’s greatest memories of his time on the field.

“Obviously, we hadn’t won (a flag) in a long time, so to win that by a point was probably the highlight of my career,” he said.

“You look back and Stanhope were flogging everyone by 80-100 points every week.

“You go into the grand final and you think, ‘what’s going to happen?’”

“Jason Traianidis as coach had been and played AFL and he just said finals footy is totally different.

“He goes, ‘today’s a different day, we’re going to come out and win’.

“In the end, it just worked out our way.”

He would wait 14 years for his next flag, the 2019 reserves decider against Avenel.

Sidebottom teamed up with brother Trent once again, this time in an extra-time thriller that Tally won by a single kick.

But beyond the field he is a long-time contributor with Tallygaroopna in his heart.

Sidebottom has been a member of the club committee and is an ongoing mentor for Tallygaroopna’s junior playing group, of which two of his three children are a part of.

He has settled himself into reserves footy in recent seasons — where they currently sit fourth — but still gets the call-up to the 2pm game occasionally due to his experience and durability, including two rounds this season.

But wherever he plays this weekend against a strong Murchison-Toolamba, he’s seen enough in his career that anything is possible on game day.

And regardless of results, his love of the club will always be unswayed.

“Hopefully it’s a good day,” he said.

“I know we’re playing against Murch, but as I said before, footy’s a funny game and anything can happen.

“We’re playing good footy at the moment, so hopefully we can get the chocolates.”

Around the league, the Redlegs still remain in the hunt for their first win of the season, but will have their work cut out for them against the undefeated Grasshoppers.

Longwood will be hoping to keep its spot in the top six by snaring the scalp of Shepparton East, while Rushworth and Stanhope, both on four wins, clash at Ironbark Stadium in a game that will shape the finals prospects of both clubs.

Nagambie hosts Lancaster in a pivotal top four clash, Undera meets Merrigum in the Bulldogs’ mission to claim their first win and Avenel plays Girgarre.