Footy star’s amazing hidden talent is revealed in video that will leave you asking, ‘How on earth does he do that?’
Magpies veteran Steele Sidebottom has unveiled his uncanny talent for remembering the exact brand of football boots worn by other AFL players.
The 34-year-old Collingwood star’s extraordinary memory was revealed in a lighthearted video released by the AFL on social media, which is surprising fans across the nation.
‘As a kid, I was obsessed with, well footy for one, but I used to just love footy boots, so whenever I see someone play I always just check what boots they’ve got on,’ he explains in the clip.
Sidebottom is quizzed if he can name what 26 random players are wearing on their feet – and without hesitation he nails every one correctly.
Of course, Sidebottom’s bizarre talent has been impressing his Collingwood teammates for years.
In 2016, Adam Treloar revealed as much while appearing on the Sports Galore podcast.
Steele Sidebottom has the uncanny talent of remembering the exact brand of football boots worn by other AFL players
The Magpies veteran (pictured with wife Alisha and children) says he’s been obsessed with boots since he was a kid
‘One time he said to me “where are your Asics?”, Treloar explained.
‘I said “how do you know what boot I wear?”, and he replied “I know everyone’s boot in the AFL”.’
Treloar couldn’t believe what he was hearing and put Sidebottom to the test.
‘I kid you not, he could name every player’s boots that they wore,’ said Treloar.
‘All my ex-Giants teammates, I was naming them and he said “I know what boot (brand) they wear and which ones (model) they wear.”
‘He didn’t miss any.’
Meanwhile, Collingwood coach Craig McRae has lauded his players as winners, even though their six-game AFL streak is over.
He was rapt with how they handled the end of Saturday night’s epic three-point loss to Geelong, rallying around Jack Crisp when he missed his shot at goal after the siren.
It would have been a fairytale finish had he kicked accurately, given Crisp was playing in his 245th-consecutive match.
That broke the long-standing AFL record, set by Melbourne great Jim Stynes.
Collingwood players and also some Cats opponents immediately went to Crisp after his crucial kick only scored a behind.
‘When he misses that kick, just look at the response of our team. It’s testament to the character and culture that we have,’ McRae said after the agonising 13.12 (90) to 12.15 (87) loss.
‘We look like winners, regardless of what the scoreboard said.’
