Proud of Steele’s ‘growth’

NATHAN Buckley says Collingwood was never going to dump Steele Sidebottom for a single error, adamant the club is proud of his development despite his major COVID breach.

And Buckley says Collingwood will continue to learn from Heritier Lumumba’s experiences so it can be a leader on racial issues in footy.

The Pies were urged to strip Sidebottom of the vice-captaincy after he was suspended for four weeks for separate COVID breaches.

Pies president Eddie McGuire was also criticised for saying he was “proud” of Sidebottom when he accepted a four-week ban Collingwood believed was heavy-handed.

Buckley told the Bounce Back by DrinkWise podcast while Sidebottom had been a “lad” in the past, responding to issues like that breach were often the making of players.

“It’s such a human thing to happen. The way it is portrayed at times, the judgment that comes from it, there is an expectation AFL players are beyond reproach,” Buckley said. “That they really should be saints. But they are just good at footy and they are not infallible. Often the things that make you a better person are when you fall down or fail.

“Steele is a quality young fella. 29 years old, his partner is 30-weeks pregnant, he is going to be a dad in a couple of months. He has been a bit of a lad over the years and likes to have a good time. Eddie said he was proud of him and you have got to pick your times for when you drop that in.

“We are not proud about what he’s done in isolation but we see it as not a pattern. But we are proud of his growth and his perspectives and attitudes to others and his contribution to our environment.”