Steele Sidebottom Announces Retirement Plans for 2026

Steele Sidebottom, a key player for Collingwood, has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. He indicated that he realized this would be his last season around Anzac Day earlier this year.

Sidebottom is set to play his 374th game against Hawthorn, as Collingwood prepares for at least one finals match. He expressed that he had been contemplating retirement for some time and felt relieved to share his decision, allowing him to focus fully on the remaining weeks with the club.

While Sidebottom has not made specific plans for the future, he intends to take his time and enjoy life after football, prioritizing family time. He has been a significant figure at Collingwood since being drafted in 2008, contributing to the team's success, including their 2023 premiership victory.