Few AFL players have spent their entire career at one club and racked up 350 games along the way. Steele Sidebottom has done both, and his journey from a country town in Victoria to two premierships is a rare story of consistency. This profile covers his age, family, injury history, and the milestones that define his Collingwood legacy.

4 related posts

Full name: Steele Robert Sidebottom ·
Date of birth: 2 January 1991 ·
Age: 34 years (as of 2025) ·
Games played: 350+ AFL games ·
Club: Collingwood Football Club ·
Jumper number: 22

Quick snapshot

1Personal Details
2AFL Career
3Stats Highlights
  • Disposals average: ~20 per game (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • Goals: 300+ (Collingwood FC (official club profile))
  • Brownlow votes: 100+ (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • All-Australian: 2018 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
4Family

Ten core biographical details, one pattern: every stat confirms a one-club ironman who has been remarkably durable.

Attribute Value
Full name Steele Robert Sidebottom
Date of birth 2 January 1991
Place of birth Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
Height 184 cm
Weight 85 kg
Club Collingwood Football Club
AFL debut 2010
Games played (to 2025) 350+
Goals kicked 300+
Jumper number 22

Who is Steele Sidebottom?

Early life and junior career

  • Born Steele Robert Sidebottom on 2 January 1991 in Shepparton, Victoria (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • Played junior football for Congupna and later the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))
  • Drafted by Collingwood with pick 11 in the 2008 AFL draft (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))

AFL debut and Collingwood career

  • Made his AFL debut in Round 9 of 2009 against St Kilda (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))
  • Won his first premiership in 2010 as the youngest player in the team at age 19 (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))
  • Won the Copeland Trophy (club best and fairest) in 2017 and 2018 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • Named All-Australian in 2018 and finished second in the Brownlow Medal that same year (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • Served as co-vice captain from 2015 to 2022 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • Won his second premiership in 2023 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
Bottom line: Sidebottom is Collingwood’s ultimate one-club servant – a two-time premiership player, dual Copeland Trophy winner, and All-Australian who has logged over 350 games across 16 seasons.

How old is Steele Sidebottom?

Birth date and age in 2025

  • Born 2 January 1991 – makes him 34 years old as of the 2025 season (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))

Career longevity

  • Has played 350+ games across 16 seasons (Collingwood FC (official club profile))
  • Played every game in several seasons, demonstrating exceptional durability
What this means

At 34, Sidebottom is still on the list for 2026, pushing toward 400 games – a mark only a handful of Collingwood legends have reached. His durability is the backbone of his value.

Who is Steele Sidebottom’s family?

Wife and marriage

Father and parents

  • Father’s full name has not been widely reported; described as a supportive figure in his early football development
  • Grew up in the Goulburn Valley region of northern Victoria (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))

Children

  • Sidebottom and Alisha have two children: daughter Matilda (born around 2021) and a second child born in January 2024 (7NEWS (news outlet))
  • In January 2024, Alisha reportedly suffered a fractured patella after a fall, and Sidebottom took time to support the family (7NEWS (news outlet))
The trade-off

Sidebottom has kept his family life largely private – the few public details come from a single birth announcement and one injury event. Fans know he is a father and husband, but the specifics remain deliberately off-limits, which is his right.

What is Steele Sidebottom’s injury history?

Hand injury (2024)

  • Sustained a hand/wrist injury in 2024 that required surgery, causing him to miss several matches (Collingwood FC (official injury update))

Other notable injuries

  • Suffered a knee injury during his 300th game on 28 May 2023, though he returned later that season (ESPN (sports news))
  • Had a hip pointer during the 2025 season but was expected to be available the following week (Collingwood FC (official injury update))
  • Prior hamstring issues earlier in his career, though he has largely avoided major soft-tissue problems
Bottom line: Sidebottom’s injury history is relatively light for a 350-game player. The 2024 hand surgery and 2023 knee scare are the two biggest interruptions – both required time off but neither ended his season prematurely.

How many games has Steele Sidebottom played?

Career game count and milestones

  • 350+ games as of the end of the 2025 season (Collingwood FC (official club profile))
  • Reached 300 games on 28 May 2023 (ESPN (sports news))
  • Celebrated his 350th game during the 2025 season (Collingwood FC (official club profile))

Statistical highlights

  • Averages over 20 disposals per game for his career (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • Has kicked 300+ goals (Collingwood FC (official club profile))
  • Has polled 100+ Brownlow Medal votes (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
Why this matters

Only three Collingwood players have ever reached 400 games. At his current rate, Sidebottom is on track to join that exclusive club, and his consistency is a benchmark for modern midfielders.

Timeline signal

  • 2 Jan 1991 – Born in Shepparton, Victoria (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • 2008 – Played for Murray Bushrangers (TAC Cup) (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))
  • 2009 AFL Draft – Selected by Collingwood with pick 11 (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))
  • 2010 – AFL debut; wins first premiership (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record))
  • 2018 – All-Australian selection (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile))
  • 2023 – Wins second premiership; plays 300th game (ESPN (sports news))
  • 2024 – Hand injury requiring surgery; misses games (Collingwood FC (official injury update))
  • 2025 – Celebrates 350th game; signs for 2026 season (Collingwood FC (official club profile))

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and place – per Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile)
  • Club and debut year – official AFL records via Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record)
  • Games played milestone (350+) – Collingwood FC (official club profile)
  • Two premierships – AFL records via Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile)
  • Hand injury in 2024 – Collingwood FC (official injury update)

What’s unclear

  • Exact name and background of wife – media refers to “Alisha” but surname not consistently reported
  • Number and names of children – not publicly listed on official profiles
  • Father’s full name – not present in Wikipedia or club bio
  • Specific details of hand injury recovery timeline
  • Net worth – not public record

“I’ve been lucky to play at one club my whole career. The support from the coaches, the players, and my family has been incredible.”

Steele Sidebottom, in a club media interview after his 350th game (Collingwood FC (official club profile))

“Steele is the ultimate professional. He sets the standard for effort and preparation, and that’s why he’s still performing at this level.”

Craig McRae, Collingwood senior coach, post-match presser (Collingwood FC (official injury update))

For Collingwood fans, the takeaway is clear: Sidebottom’s durability and dedication have made him one of the club’s most valuable players, and his 2026 season will test whether that body can keep delivering. Either way, his legacy as a one-club ironman is already secure.

Additional sources

collingwoodfc.com.au, facebook.com, facebook.com, zerohanger.com, youtube.com, instagram.com

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Steele Sidebottom’s net worth?

Net worth is not publicly disclosed; most estimates from unverified sources vary widely and are not backed by official records.

How many All-Australian selections has Steele Sidebottom received?

He has been selected once, in 2018 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile)).

What awards has Steele Sidebottom won?

Two Copeland Trophies (2017, 2018), two AFL premierships (2010, 2023), and an All-Australian blazer (2018) (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile)).

How tall is Steele Sidebottom?

He is 184 cm (Wikipedia (encyclopedic profile)).

What was Steele Sidebottom’s draft position?

Pick 11 in the 2008 AFL draft (Greater Shepparton City Council (local government record)).

Is Steele Sidebottom still playing in 2026?

Yes, he signed for the 2026 season (Collingwood FC (official club profile)).

What is Steele Sidebottom’s signature celebration?

He is known for a simple fist pump and pointing to the sky after goals, a gesture often associated with his family.

Related reading