Steele Sidebottom. The restrictions would mean the Cats legend would be unable to train while in isolation. COLLINGWOOD midfielder Steele Sidebottom won't play any part in the Pies' final campaign after the complexity of quarantine and finals fixturing made his planned trip north too difficult.
“Gary had important family matters that required him to return home. “This would mean Gary could not train during this period. Steele Sidebottom plays footy with a smile on his face.And the Collingwood champion is smiling now after hearing, for the first time, the epic story of how the Sidebottoms came to settle in Australia.It’s a tale that stretches back almost 200 years, encompassing a violent crime in England, a death sentence, a brutal term as a convict, some ill-gotten wealth that led to success in Melbourne’s early days, a remarkable gesture of love that improved the fortunes of an entire clan, and a mysterious name change that ultimately produced one of footy’s great names.“It’s a nice surprise,” Sidebottom, 27, told the AFL Record.“It’s blown me away a bit actually.“It’s good to know about where you come from, but to have this pretty amazing story in your family just takes it to another level.”It’s no surprise the Magpies vice-captain was unaware of his colourful heritage, given that traditionally his clan was devoutly religious and determined to whitewash ‘the convict stain’ and any suggestion of impropriety.And, besides, many subsequent descendants had merely suspected there was ‘a skeleton in the cupboard’.The AFL Record just happened to stumble across what was once a closely guarded secret.Some time back when we revealed North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell’s German ancestry, family historian Janet Hubbard mentioned we might be interested in highlighting the fascinating pedigree of another of her distant relations, Steele Sidebottom.She gave us a copy of a self-published book about the Sidebottoms, and it was soon apparent there was a ripping yarn to tell.So we arranged for the author, Don Sutherland, to give the Pies star a family history lesson.Retired engineer Sutherland, sprightly at 81, is a Melbourne fan but naturally takes a special interest in Sidebottom.The distant relatives met for the first time at the Holden Centre.Sutherland says they are fourth cousins, twice removed.In other words, his great-great grandfather and Sidebottom’s four-times-great-grandfather were brothers.Another brother is the reason for this story.“Did you know your name should be Langford instead of Sidebottom?” Sutherland asked.“No ... really? “Of course, once he returns, he has to come back to Queensland. Get your vote in for Josh Daicos' stunning goal from round 10 against Sydney, Collingwood has today made history by recruiting the club’s first AFLW…, Collingwood premiership defender and 2011 All-Australian Ben Reid has called time on…, Hear from midfielder Adam Treloar as we build up to the elimination final against…, Hear from defender Jack Crisp in the lead up to our elimination final against West…, Hear from Tarni & Gavin Brown as they discuss Tarni becoming the club's first AFLW….