Goulburn Valley football export Steele Sidebottom and future Magpies legend Scott Pendlebury celebrated an AFL record-breaking moment last Friday night.
The duo took to the field for the 308th time against the Western Bulldogs in round two, beating former Adelaide teammates Tyson Edwards and Andrew McLeod who previously held the record with 307.
Sidebottom and Pendlebury secured the achievement in style as their Magpies beat the Bulldogs in a thriller by six points.
They started their journey together at the end of 2008 when Tallygaroopna product Sidebottom was drafted to the Magpies.
Pendlebury was a meticulous and professional trainer from the start of his career in 2005.
Meanwhile, Sidebottom admits he enjoyed the social aspect of being an AFL player as he became close with Collingwood’s infamous rat pack made up of Alan Didak, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas and a few others.
Despite their different approaches at the start of their careers, the pair has shared a lot during its time in black and white, losing grand finals in 2011 and 2018 and winning premierships in 2010 and 2023.
In the lead-up to their record-breaking game, the close friends spoke with Collingwood's media team about some of their favourite moments together.
Pendlebury shared his memories of first meeting his great mate “Sidey”.
“I remember him coming in, he had long ratty hair, smiling ear to ear and whoever he met just giggling,” Pendlebury told Collingwood media.
“Then pretty quickly he won the 2km time trial and back then the time trial was everything, I think he knocked off Marty Clarke the Irishman.
“Then just watching his highlights of the (TAC Cup) grand final kicking 10 goals. It sounds like a video game scoreline having 30 touches and kicking 10 goals in a grand final.
“Crazy to see those highlights and then play together now for 300-odd games.”
Sidebottom reflected fondly on a moment when Pendlebury dug in deep for him and the Magpies.
“My 200th game, I think it was against Essendon,” Sidebottom said.
“I think we were going well early and then in the third quarter, I think we faded out a little bit.
“I just remember watching ‘Dip’ almost single-handedly pick the team up and drag us over the line.
“For me, being my 200th game and being a milestone, I remember that really clearly.”
