Collingwood veteran Steele Sidebottom is locked in to playing an 18th season of AFL football after signing a one-year contract extension for 2026 with the Magpies, while key defender Jeremy Howe has also put pen to paper for another season.
Sidebottom and Howe join 2023 premiership teammates Darcy Cameron (2029) and Scott Pendlebury (2026) in re-signing with the club in recent weeks as the Pies look to embark on a second premiership tilt in three years.
General Manager of List and Talent Strategy Justin Leppitsch was thrilled to have the pair recommit to the club as they look to lead the club through its current premiership window.
“We are excited to have Steele and Jeremy sign on for 2026. They both bring an incredible amount of experience and knowledge to our side, and are highly regarded people throughout the Club.
“On and off the field, Steele and Jeremy are both instrumental figures within our program, setting the standards and leading the way for their fellow teammates.
“With both already having incredible careers, we look forward to ‘Sidey' and ‘Howey' continuing to play a significant role in our side and guiding our next generation of young talent.”
At 34 years old, Sidebottom has continued to defy Father Time and remains as influential as ever at Collingwood, on and off the field.
In 2025, he's averaged 21.7 disposals per game to go along with 4.0 tackles and 12 goals, and recorded 48 coaches votes for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award - the most he's recorded in a home-and-away season since 2018, where he finished with 64 votes.
Howe has been a key pillar of Collingwood's defence all season, with the club conceding just 72.1 points per game when he plays a full match, highlighting his immense importance to their premiership hopes.
The club will be hopeful they can claim a spot in a preliminary final with a win over Adelaide next Thursday, with Howe's recovery timeline from his latest groin injury aligning with that weekend.
