Collingwood great Steele Sidebottom has landed his first AFL coaching job, joining Melbourne as a development coach ahead of the 2027 season.
The Demons announced the appointment on Monday, with the club confirming the dual premiership Magpie will work with Melbourne’s playing group in a part-time capacity.
Sidebottom retired at the end of the 2026 season after an 18-year career at Collingwood, where he played 375 AFL games.
He won premierships in 2010 and 2023, claimed two Collingwood best and fairest awards and was named All-Australian in 2018.
Melbourne chief of football and innovation Ned Guy said the 35-year-old would bring valuable experience to Steven King’s coaching group.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Steele’s experience and character joining our football program to help develop our players and take their game to another level,” Guy said.
Read more: AFL: Five Premierships Walk Away as Sidebottom and Prestia Announce Retirements
“He has been part of successful teams, understands what it takes to perform at the highest level and has a really good understanding of the game.”
Guy, who was Collingwood’s list boss earlier in Sidebottom’s career, has now reunited with the midfielder at the Demons, Zero Hanger noted.
The move follows Sidebottom’s stint on the panel helping North Melbourne search for its next senior coach after the Kangaroos parted ways with Alastair Clarkson, SEN reported.
Read more: Chris Fagan Joins Carlton as Director of Coaching
From Tallygaroopna to the coaches’ box
Originally from Tallygaroopna in country Victoria, Sidebottom was taken by Collingwood with pick 11 in the 2008 National Draft and became one of the most durable midfielders of his era.
Melbourne opens its 2027 campaign against Essendon at the MCG on 21 March, SEN reported.
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