Steele Sidebottom is Collingwood’s September specialist

Steele Sidebottom had a September to remember last year and he hopes to have the ball as much as possible, which could spell trouble for Geelong.

Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom admits he loves the ball in his hands and the numbers back him up.

Particularly during the month of September.

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If Richmond fans weren’t having nightmares about Mason Cox after last year’s preliminary final, they were certainly having them about Sidebottom.

His 41-possession game, when the Tigers did not see the need to put a hard tag on him, was instrumental in the Pies’ shock ambush of the Tigers.

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The 232-gamer has long been considered a September specialist and his 2018 finals campaign was elite, despite being well held in the Grand Final by Eagle Mark Hutchings.

Geelong will no doubt be on high alert in Friday night’s qualifying final, and Sidebottom said he could not wait for his return to the big stage in his favourite month of the year.

“It’s why you play footy, to play finals footy,” Sidebottom said.

“To be sitting where we now are is exciting, and I know the guys can’t wait for Friday night.”

A big question for coach Nathan Buckley is what ­exactly he does with Side­bottom.

Last September, Sidebottom did his damage predominantly from the wing, but he has played a bit of a different role this season.

“It (the role) has changed a little bit, I’ve probably played a little bit more forward this year than maybe last,” he said.

“I guess we’ve probably had a few more guys that have been able to go through the middle this year as well.

“I’m just out there trying to contribute every week and it doesn’t matter where I’m ­playing.”

Steele Sidebottom loves having the ball in his hands. Picture: Michael Klein

Sidebottom’s home-and-away possession numbers are down on last year, but the 2010 premiership player has no qualms sharing the spoils with his teammates.

He denied he has had to sacrifice his numbers for the sake of his team role this year.

“I don’t think I’d be the only one if that was the case,” he said.

“With possessions I clearly love to have the ball in my hands, but if one of my teammates has it in his hands then I’m more than happy for that.

“I’m definitely not making a sacrifice, that’s for sure.”

The midfield battle should be crucial, given the forecast of a wet night at the MCG.

“The contested ball is huge and big Brodes (ruckman Brodie Grundy) in there is clearly the one giving us first use hopefully,” Sidebottom said.

“They (Geelong) have clearly got a star-studded midfield and it’ll take a long, hard fought effort on Friday night to be able to beat them.

“And it’s not just the mids, their defence is elite and they’ve got some great players back there and in their forward line as well. There’s a reason they finished on top of the ladder, and we’re lucky enough to get the first crack of them.”

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Sidebottom feels last year’s campaign has given the Pies confidence they can do it again.

“It does help, but having said that, we do all the stuff during the week, you look at opposition, you do the work and when we go out to play we’re confident of beating any team,” he said.

“If it’s finals or home and away or whatever, we’re a confident bunch that no matter who we come up against, we believe on the day we can beat them.”

Much has been made of Collingwood’s long list of inclusions this week, with Geelong coach Chris Scott questioning the impact of the Magpies playing a string of underdone players.

Sidebottom, who returns from surgery on his ruptured testicle, said it was not a concern for his side as it prepares to avenge last year’s premiership near miss.

“Stevo’s (forward Jaidyn Stephenson) had a fair spell out and Jordy’s (De Goey) missed a few and he has been able to freshen up but he has been doing work on an injury, which isn’t the same probably as what Stevo’s had,” he said.

Originally published as Steele Sidebottom is Collingwood’s September specialist