Steele Sidebottom and Dion Prestia have announced their retirements, closing two decorated careers that helped define an extraordinary era of Victorian football.
The premiership midfielders confirmed their decisions on Thursday, with Sidebottom to finish when Collingwood’s 2026 campaign ends and Prestia preparing for one final appearance with Richmond.
Two Premiership Greats Call Time
Sidebottom will retire following Collingwood’s final match of the season, bringing his remarkable 18-year career with the Magpies to an end.
Prestia’s farewell will arrive sooner, with Saturday’s match against St Kilda at the MCG confirmed as the final game of his 16-season AFL career.
The dual announcements were reported by ABC News in its coverage of the Sidebottom and Prestia retirements and subsequently confirmed by both clubs.
Together, Sidebottom and Prestia won five premierships and played more than 620 AFL games.
Their retirements remove two of the most experienced midfielders from the competition and mark another step towards the end of the Collingwood and Richmond teams that dominated several of the AFL’s biggest seasons.
Sidebottom Ends an 18-Year Collingwood Career
Sidebottom has played 373 games for Collingwood, placing him second on the club’s all-time appearances list behind longtime teammate Scott Pendlebury.
The 35-year-old remains available for the rest of Collingwood’s 2026 campaign, meaning that total could increase before his career officially ends.
He won premierships in 2010 and 2023, claimed two Copeland Trophies as Collingwood’s best and fairest, collected two Anzac Day Medals and earned All-Australian selection in 2018.
Sidebottom also served as the club’s vice-captain for eight seasons.
Reflecting on his career, the midfielder admitted that his achievements had surpassed anything he imagined while growing up in Tallygaroopna.
“As a young kid from ‘Tally’, I could never imagine I’d finish my AFL career with over 370 games, two premierships and 18 years of memories,” Sidebottom said.
“When I look back on my time at Collingwood, I’ll remember the people.”
Sidebottom thanked the teammates, coaches, staff and volunteers who supported him throughout his career before paying tribute to Collingwood’s supporters.
“To the Magpie Army, playing in front of you is an incredible privilege—there is nothing like running out for a game knowing our fans are behind us.”
“Your loyalty, passion and love for the black and white are what make Collingwood such a special place.”
Sidebottom and Pendlebury Created AFL History
Sidebottom and Pendlebury have played 339 AFL matches together, an all-time league record for two teammates.
Their partnership has spanned premierships, grand final defeats, coaching changes and multiple rebuilds.
Sidebottom was selected with pick 11 in the 2008 national draft and made his AFL debut the following season. He quickly became an important member of Mick Malthouse’s premiership team before remaining central to the club for nearly two decades.
Collingwood coach Craig McRae praised both his football and the influence he has exerted away from match day.
“His consistency, professionalism and ability to perform under pressure have been remarkable throughout his career,” McRae said.
“But for me, his greatest strength is his character. He’s authentic, caring, humble and has a wonderful way of bringing people together.”
The veteran’s endurance, composure and ability to perform in major matches ensured he remained valuable long after most members of Collingwood’s 2010 premiership side had retired.
He will leave as one of the most durable and accomplished players in the Magpies’ history.
Prestia Prepares for One Final Richmond Appearance
Prestia will play his 253rd and final AFL match when Richmond faces St Kilda at the MCG.
The 33-year-old has made 158 appearances for the Tigers after playing 95 games across his first six seasons with Gold Coast.
Prestia was selected by the Suns with pick nine in the 2010 national draft and played in the expansion club’s inaugural AFL match in 2011.
He joined Richmond through a trade at the end of 2016 and immediately became a key figure in one of the greatest periods in the club’s history.
Prestia played in Richmond’s 2017, 2019 and 2020 premiership teams, won the Jack Dyer Medal in 2019 and was named in the extended All-Australian squad that season.
“I felt like a Richmond Man from the very beginning,” Prestia said.
“My decision to come to Richmond was not to prove what I could do, but to be a part of a club that I saw potential for greatness—and didn’t we prove that right?”
Prestia’s Richmond Move Changed His Career
Richmond surrendered pick six and a future second-round selection to acquire Prestia and pick 24 from Gold Coast.
It proved to be one of the most influential trades of the Tigers’ premiership era.
Prestia added ball-winning ability, defensive pressure and two-way running to a midfield led by Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin.
He played 22 games during his first season at Richmond and was among the club’s best performers in the 2017 grand final victory over Adelaide, collecting 25 disposals and kicking a goal.
His finest individual season came in 2019.
Prestia played every match, averaged 27 disposals, 5.8 clearances and 4.9 tackles, won Richmond’s best and fairest and helped the club claim its second premiership in three seasons.
He later returned from a serious syndesmosis injury during the 2020 finals and contributed to Richmond’s third flag, kicking two goals in the grand final victory over Geelong.
Injuries limited his availability during the latter stages of his career, but his influence on Richmond’s younger midfielders remained significant.
“This last 10 years has been everything that I ever dreamt of as a kid, kicking the footy in my front yard and imagining 90,000 fans screaming,” Prestia said.
“Thank you, Tiger Army, for making this happen.”
Richmond Farewell Will Celebrate an Entire Era
Prestia’s final appearance will form part of a significant afternoon for Richmond.
Triple-premiership defender Nathan Broad will also be farewelled, while Tom Lynch is scheduled to play his 250th AFL game.
“To go there one more time and celebrate with a legend in ‘Broady’ and for Lynchy’s 250th is going to make it extra special,” Prestia said.
Richmond football talent boss Blair Hartley described Prestia as a “true difference maker” whose contribution extended beyond his performances.
“Dion has delivered in spades across the last 10 years, and his role at our club has been enormous on and off the field,” Hartley said.
“He was a key part of our premiership success, as a two-way running midfielder that added an extra dimension to our team.”
Two Careers That Defined Successful Clubs
Sidebottom and Prestia arrived at their respective clubs under different circumstances.
Sidebottom was drafted by Collingwood and remained there for his entire career. Prestia began with an expansion club before choosing Richmond and helping transform a struggling giant into a dynasty.
Both became trusted performers in September.
Sidebottom connected Collingwood’s 2010 and 2023 premiership teams, while Prestia was instrumental in all three Richmond flags between 2017 and 2020.
Their retirements are not simply the departure of two experienced midfielders.
They represent the gradual closing of two premiership eras that produced five flags, enormous crowds and some of the most memorable finals of the modern AFL period.
Prestia will receive his farewell on Saturday.
Sidebottom still has football ahead of him—and Collingwood supporters will hope his final campaign lasts deep into September.
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