AFL 2024: Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury in ‘optimal’ condition, says coach

Collingwood coach Craig McRae says ageing champions Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are still physically “at the top of their game” as the pair bears the brunt of criticism for the Magpies’ winless start to the season.

McRae said resting Sidebottom to avoid him playing three matches in 12 days would be discussed among potential changes for Thursday’s grand final rematch against Brisbane, but he wanted to back his veterans to help turn around the Magpies’ campaign.

Pendlebury, 36, and Sidebottom, 33, were due to play their 290th game together against the Lions, which would take them past Richmond legends Kevin Bartlett and Francis Bourke into outright sixth for VFL-AFL matches played together as teammates.

McRae said the duo’s issues were form related rather than physical, and their importance would be amplified when the tempo of games slowed in the middle of the season.

A pacy St Kilda cut apart Collingwood’s midfield in a five-goal third-quarter blitz to hand the reigning premier its third consecutive defeat.

“I do believe that the competition is getting better, everyone’s improving, and I think physically everyone at the start of the year is at their absolute optimal (fitness),” McRae said.

“That’s real, and we are very conscious that the game is very high transition early on in the season – middle of June, (when it’s) wet and a little bit slower, experience is really important.

“Those two in particular, we look for things we can measure, and most of them are doing PBs, in the gym, out there for GPS, high speed, all the things we can look at to see that they’re at the top of their game.”

The coach said Sidebottom could be managed as he named John Noble, Harvey Harrison and Ed Allan as potential inclusions following strong performances in the Magpies’ come-from-behind VFL win on Friday.

Ruckman Darcy Cameron was absent with gastro, as McRae said he would be monitored over the next 24 hours before selection for the Lions clash.

“There’s always a challenge of playing three games in 12 days, I don’t care how old you are, that’s a challenge,” he said.

“So we think about that internally, we’ve been well measured in thinking that – Will Hoskin- Elliott for example and Tom Mitchell, we were very strategic in looking after those guys.

“We’ll go to match committee, and (Sidebottom) might be one of those … it might be a chance to give him a rest, we’ll see what happens.

“I was rapt with our VFL … they had a terrific performance, I left there energised by what I saw. Young players playing above the level – Nobes was one who looked really sharp, (Harvey) Harrison, Ed Allan’s showing some really good signs. TJ (Tew Jiath), we’re excited for what’s there, there’s some excitement among the group as much as the world doesn’t want to hear it.”

McRae said captain Darcy Moore was working as hard as anyone else to address his poor form in defence as he was coy over whether Billy Frampton would join him in the backline or reprise his grand final role on Brisbane star Harris Andrews.

Cameron’s illness could also influence where Frampton is used if he does not recover in time for the clash.

“He’s going well, isn’t he, Bill? Watch this space, we’ll see what happens,” McRae said.