Recently retired fan favourite Steele Sidebottom has been unveiled as a development coach at the resurgent Melbourne Demons.
Sidebottom won two premierships, two best and fairests and All-Australian honours across a storied career on Olympic Boulevard, and will look to impart any wisdom gleaned across his 18 seasons in black and white on the next generation of Demons.
The Demons announced the coup via social media on Monday, some 10 weeks after the Collingwood champion's career ended with a dull thud in the Wildcard Round.
The Demons also bowed out of cup contention on that same weekend.
Sidebottom's playing future lies with the Wonthaggi Power in Gippsland, and now his involvement with football at the highest level has been confirmed too, with the 375-gamer joining Steven King's staff as the Demons look to build on the strong foundation a Wildcard appearance provides them.
Now that's a STEELE 😮💨 Steele Sidebottom will join the red + blue as a development coach.
📝 | https://t.co/HcMHbEbQsq pic.twitter.com/4sZbOSzvMg
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) November 9, 2026
Melbourne's chief of football and innovation, Ned Guy, reunites with Sidebottom, having been the list boss at Collingwood when the famed salary dump occurred earlier this decade.
"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 of the Sidebottom acquisition.
"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.
"Steel is a terrific person who will bring a lot to our group, and we are really looking forward to having him around the club and joining our coaching group."
