The Collingwood star has continued to hint at a possible reunion to his country footy roots, with a surprise club entering the mix.
Speaking with The News ahead of his 350th game, the Tallygaroopna export confirmed his desire to return to the country footy scene following his playing days at the Magpies, and doubled down on that sentiment in the second episode of Collingwood’s Common Thread podcast.
In a chat with Collingwood AFLW coach and Katamatite product Sam Wright, Sidebottom spoke fondly of his country football roots, with hopes to involve himself in the atmosphere of the Goulburn Valley’s leagues.
Sidebottom reflected on how the ‘best’ choice he made as a junior was joining Congupna, the club the 34-year-old would play for up until his draft year.
While he admitted he had one year of playing across both local football and school football, Sidebottom was forced to come to a decision in his early high school years on where to take his talents.
“In year seven or eight, I had to either choose Congupna or Wanganui, and I think most of the boys chose Wanganui,” Sidebottom said on the Common Thread podcast.
“I think it was a shock to some people that I chose to play at Congupna on the Saturday.
“But the best decision - school footy’s basically you turn up, they let you play and then you’re off.
“Country footy, you can’t beat it.”
Growing up around the country footy sphere is why Sidebottom is determined to return to the scene in one way or another, whether it be playing, coaching or some other kind of involvement.
“Country footy, that’s the one thing I feel I miss the most being in the city.
“Rocking up to footy at 8:30am in the morning, get out of the car and say ‘see you mum, I’ll see you at five o’clock when all the footy’s done’.
“That’s one thing I miss and one thing that I feel like when my time’s all done here at Collingwood, that I’ll have some kind of input into some country club for sure.”
Wright, brother of Shepparton Swans coach Jedd, jokingly made an attempt to lure Sidebottom to the rising club, which made its first finals series in nearly a decade this season.
Although said in jest, Sidebottom didn’t smother the rumour’s flames, potentially leaving the door ajar for the Swans to swoop in post-Sidebottom’s AFL career.
“I don’t know, if my body’s up to it I’d love to (play),” Sidebottom said.
“If I can’t play I’d love to coach maybe, but also I’ve got a family in Melbourne.
“You’re committing a lot of hours to coaching and if I was to coach I’d have to be all in as well.
“I don’t want to be coming and going and making it hard for everyone else, but I’d love to have an input.
“I saw he (Jedd Wright) had a good win against Ky the other week.
“I’m sure Jedd will watch this - put my résumé in for a couple of years!”
The Swans were bundled out of the Goulburn Valley League finals after an 18-point loss to defending premiers Echuca, but a promising ascension up the table is providing belief for the future at Princess Park.
What the addition Sidebottom would make to the Swans’ flag cause beyond 2026 is indescribable, adding 18 years of knowledge from the top flight.
However, Sidebottom is deeply tied with aforementioned Congupna, as well as home town club Tallygaroopna, where brother Josh ‘Twiggy’ Sidebottom still has a kick around.
Either way, country clubs will have to wait until at least the end of 2026 to lure Sidebottom’s talents, with the gun veteran re-signing on for another year at the Pies, as the black and white chase further premiership success.
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