Steele Sidebottom claimed the Anzac Day Medal in Collingwood’s rain-soaked 41-point win over Essendon, and his teammate believes there was no debate.
Speaking on Triple M Rocks Footy, Collingwood ruckman Darcy Cameron backed the veteran midfielder as best on ground after his 36-disposal, 15-clearance performance in front of more than 92,000 at the MCG.
“Josh [Daicos] was unbelievable, Jamie [Elliott] too, but Sidey [Sidebottom], in my eyes, he was definitely best on,” Cameron said. “His clearance work was silly on a day like that. He made that ball dry, and it was a very slippery night.”
‘He rose to the occasion’: Daicos praised for captaincy debut
Cameron was also full of praise for Nick Daicos, who captained Collingwood for the first time and became the club’s youngest skipper in 57 years. The 21-year-old responded with 31 disposals and 11 clearances.
MORE: Beveridge makes strongest comments yet on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
“It was effortless for him,” Cameron said. “His pre-game speech was really good, he was so composed, and he rose to the occasion, like he always does. He dominates week in, week out. That’s the norm for him.”
Cameron added that Daicos had shown leadership from the moment he arrived at the club, but had taken it to another level in the past year.
“He’s taken it up a notch,” he said. “Especially this year — the selfless stuff at stoppages, around the club. He wants to win, and that’s helping him warm as well.”
Collingwood’s pressure, even in greasy conditions, again proved the difference on the big stage. With Sidebottom leading the midfield charge and the Daicos brothers continuing to shine, the Pies look firmly on track for another September tilt.