Magpie ace’s remorse for COVID drama

COLLINGWOOD star Steele Sidebottom has apologised to his teammates and vowed to make amends after committing multiple breaches of the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

The Magpies vice-captain was suspended for four weeks for his indiscretions, which started at injured teammate Jeremy Howe’s house two weeks ago.

Sidebottom met with his teammates face-to-face for the first time since the incident, and his subsequent penalty, on Monday where he issued the apology.

He has not stepped down from his leadership position.

Sidebottom and teammate Jordan De Goey flew straight to Perth to begin life in the AFL’s Western Australia hub last week rather than flying to Sydney for Collingwood’s win over Hawthorn last Friday night.

Sidebottom, who will miss two more weeks with suspension, has vowed to earn back the trust of his teammates, coaches and the Collingwood members.

“Today I had my first opportunity to speak to the playing group and the coaching staff and I obviously take full responsibility for my actions and deeply apologise for those things that occurred,” Sidebottom said in a video message posted on the club’s website.

“I guess for me for the next few weeks I won’t be able to have an impact on-field but I’ll be doing everything I can to help my teammates out to prepare for the games coming up. Whatever I can do in meetings, on the training track, whatever it is I’ll be there to help out.

“My actions two weeks ago, I know that I’ve affected everyone at the footy club and everyone that supports (it).

“My role going forward now is to make amends on that and try and get back all the trust, not only of my teammates ... but the supporters out there.”

Sidebottom, 29, has agreed to complete a responsible consumption of alcohol course and will dedicate time in the service of a charitable or community organisation over the next 12 months.

He will begin this role when coronavirus protocols allow.

Sidebottom will miss Thursday night’s clash against Geelong and the Round 8 clash against West Coast, both to be played at Perth Stadium.