This year, 26 district sporting legends are being inducted to the hall of fame, honour roll and junior honour roll categories in the Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame. The News is featuring stories on each of the inductees in the lead-up to the induction ceremony on August 6. Today News sports reporter Aydin Payne speaks to Steele Sidebottom, who is being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Like most kids from the country Steele Sidebottom was sports mad right from an early age.
The current Collingwood star, the youngest of five boys, lived and breathed sport growing up.
Whether it was under the clothesline in the backyard or at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve, a Sherrin was never far away, nor was the tennis racquet and you can bet a cricket bat was within arm's reach.
“It was always sport at our house growing up,” Sidebottom, 30, said.
“Sport has been a big factor of my life and it's had a big influence on my family.
“The back fence at our house backed onto a paddock which was next to the footy ground, so if we weren't at home we were over at the footy oval kicking the footy or playing cricket.”
With four older brothers it is no wonder sport dominated Sidebottom's Tallygaroopna household.
One extract from a News article in 2017 highlighted Sidebottom's upbringing in the sports-loving family.
“There was a few tussles under the clothesline every now and then and the old man used to say if you wanted the title then you had to take him on underneath the clothesline, so there was plenty of work done underneath Mum’s clothesline,’’ Sidebottom said at the time.
It was clear from early on that young Steele was destined to do great things in any chosen sport.
Sidebottom dabbled in tennis — where he won multiple Shepparton Junior Tennis Association premierships — and rolled the arm over in cricket, a sport his brother Ryan has excelled in.
“I played tennis for a few years. I was okay at cricket, but I was never worried about it getting in the way,” Sidebottom said with a laugh.
But it was footy that captured his heart.
“I actually remember the first time I played,” he said.
“There used to be a lightning premiership that was held out at Shepp East years ago. A friend from Tally played in the under-14s at Congupna and he asked me and Ryan to play.
“We didn't know anyone and we just rocked up with our boots and I think we actually won the premiership.
“That was the first time I put on The Road jumper and then I never left there. I'm not sure how many games I did play, but it would be well over 100 games.”
Sidebottom quickly became one of the hottest junior stars in the region.
As a teenager his talents earned him spots in junior Vic Country and Murray Bushrangers outfits.
One of his favourite memories during his youth is the 2007 under-17 premiership with The Road.
“The thirds at Congupna ended up winning the flag that year. I was fortunate enough to be a part of it and I'm still really close mates with a lot of those boys,” he said.
“Guys like Sam Muggleton, Adam Brassil, Matt Pianto, Luke McCluskey, I could name the whole team really.
“When you catch up it's still something that always gets brought up.”
“Not that I don't love footy now, but those are the days, in the fourths and thirds, that you really love playing.
“I'd love to get back to the country footy scene at some stage. They were some of the best memories as a kid.”
Sidebottom has since gone on to carve out an extraordinary career in the AFL.
More than 250 appearances for the Magpies, a premiership player, two-time Copeland Trophy winner, vice-captain since 2015, runner-up in the Brownlow Medal and All-Australian in 2018.
And Sidebottom always seemed destined to reach the upper echelons of the footballing world on the back of that TAC Cup grand final.
In 2008, a fresh-faced Sidebottom booted 10 goals and spearheaded the Bushrangers to glory on the back of a best-on performance.
Here was a player, after years of honing his craft under the family clothesline and on Tallygaroopna oval, that was ready to show the rest of the football world what he was capable of.
And he got that chance after Collingwood selected him with pick 11 in the 2008 AFL draft.
Sidebottom quickly tasted grand final success at the Pies in his second season.
In the memorable 2010 grand final replay against St Kilda, the teenager from Tallygaroopna kicked two goals and collected 26 disposals — finishing second in the Norm Smith Medal.
“It's something that every young kid who wants to play footy dreams of,” Sidebottom said.
“Just to see the reaction of the fans, people who live and breathe the Collingwood footy club, I remember doing the lap after the game and fans were going crazy, it was very special.
“When I got there I thought playing finals and in grand finals was something that was going to happen regularly.
“As a young bloke I was pretty naïve and probably didn't make the most of it and take it all in.
“I was very fortunate to win one in my second year and I think if I was to get another one now I would be very thankful and take it in a lot more.”
Sidebottom returned to the last match of the season in 2011, before coming agonisingly close to another premiership medal eight years later.
In a season where the silky on-baller took his game to another level, the Pies missed out to West Coast in the dying minutes of the game.
“We didn't make finals for a few years, but that 2018 finals series, I made a conscious decision to try to soak it all in and enjoy it,” he said.
“Although we didn't win the flag, I think that whole year for me was the most enjoyable of my career, it's a year I certainly won't forget.”
With his career now midway through its 12th season, Sidebottom has chalked up another personal accolade.
He will be inducted into the Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame next month for his incredible contribution and achievements in football.
Sidebottom thanked his parents Linda and Noel, junior coaches and his partner Alisha for their support along his stellar career.
“I don't just magically appear here on my own doing, there are a lot of people who helped me over the journey,” he said.
“Obviously my family, Mum and Dad, my partner Alisha. She has been a big part of my career and I've got her to thank for a lot of things.
“I'm the same as everyone who is getting inducted, there's been plenty of hard work put in, not only by myself, but by most people who have helped along the way. It's important to take in the praises and recognition.
“It's a good thing for everyone who has been involved in my career.”
Although the superstar footballer still has plenty more seasons left up his sleeve, a return to where it all began is not out of the question.
“The whole country footy and netball scene, spending a day at the footy is something I miss and, hopefully, one day I might be able to play a few games back home. Hopefully I have a few more years left at the Pies before I make that decision.”
Sports Editor