Those are the words of former AFL star and Sydney Swans premiership player Josh Kennedy when asked about Tallygaroopna product Steele Sidebottom’s prevailing form.
Sidebottom, 34, is remarkably erring on a career-best season despite the stereotypes that suggest otherwise.
AFL players are typically retired and pushed out of the system once their age ticks into the 30s, but a growing trend is seeing the AFL’s best produce longer careers at the top flight.
Ten years ago, 68 players aged over 30 took to the field for an AFL game.
In 2025, that number has nearly doubled, standing at 120.
If orange is the new black, then 30 may well be the new 25 for the country’s elite footballers and none represent that more so than veteran Magpies pair Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury.
While Pendlebury’s numbers have reduced on the field, the former skipper still plays a valuable role inside Collingwood’s midfield.
Even in a limited role, the 37-year-old has produced disposal figures of 25 or more seven times in 2025.
Sidebottom, however, has been transformative as he’s aged.
Altering his midfield role to a more wing-prominent position, the two-time premiership Pie is averaging his most disposals and score involvements per game since 2021, most inside 50s since 2019 and most clearances in his career to date.
The second wind Sidebottom has produced in a stage of his career that many lose steam in has impressed Kennedy, who spoke about Sidebottom’s starring year on SEN’s Whateley.
“It's incredible, isn't it,” Kennedy said.
“(Pendlebury) and his mate Steele over there at Collingwood, their football IQ is through the roof, which makes them incredible assets to that football club.
“Steele's obviously got one of the great kicking legs, but also endurance, a tank to be able to play out on the wing and their leadership qualities on the field.
“(I have) huge admiration for those guys, for the Collingwood coaching staff that went against popular belief that you get over 30 (and your career’s coming to an end).
“Steele Sidebottom, for example, a couple of years ago was in bad form, just really struggling, and I reckon most people in the football media, in the football world had written him off.
“This was coming towards the end, but you get a coaching staff that believe in you and persist with you despite maybe a couple of little injuries here and there and look what they get paid back.
“I'll never forget being on a plane with Kevin Sheedy, probably 15 years ago.
“It was just after Cadel Evans won the Tour de France, and he made a comment about how in the AFL we retire guys once they get over 30, but Cadel Evans wins one of the hardest endurance sports in the world at 32.
“So, I admire the Collingwood coaching staff as well for persisting with those guys and obviously the ultimate professionals to be able to keep doing what they're doing.”
Sidebottom is four games away from becoming the 26th player in VFL/AFL history to play 350 AFL games, as his Magpies sit atop the ladder by one-and-a-half games.
Collingwood’s next month consists of games against Fremantle, Richmond, Brisbane, and Hawthorn.
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