Two experienced Collingwood players are under investigation for breaches of the AFL’s coronavirus protocols.
Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom faces likely suspension for multiple breaches of the AFL’s strict coronavirus protocols.
The All-Australian midfielder and teammate Lynden Dunn shared an Uber ride on Saturday evening and Sidebottom later visited a member of the club’s staff who is not living under the competition’s protocols.
Both players have been interviewed by the AFL’s integrity unit, which is expected to complete its investigation on Wednesday.
“The breaches were reported to the AFL on Sunday afternoon,” the Magpies said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.
“The players were interviewed by the AFL yesterday (Monday).
“Sidebottom and Dunn will not be permitted to return to the Holden Centre until cleared to do so by COVID-19 testing.”
If Sidebottom is banned, it would be a massive blow for Collingwood ahead of their clash with Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.
The 29-year-old Magpies vice-captain has played in each of the club’s four games this season.
Dunn, 33, has struggled with injuries and has not played at senior level since 2018.
The pair reportedly spent part of Saturday night drinking with teammate Jeremy Howe, who sustained a serious knee injury during the previous night’s loss to Greater Western Sydney.
Sidebottom then reportedly visited former teammate Daniel Wells, who works for Collingwood but is not part of the club’s approved list of 25 staff members.
Sidebottom’s three alleged breaches are spending more than two hours with Howe, catching an Uber ride and visiting Wells.
Dunn’s only alleged breach is the Uber ride.
The latest transgressions follow suspensions being handed to five players for breaches since the AFL return-to-play protocols were implemented.
Essendon’s Conor McKenna and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo and Kysaiah Pickett, and Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines have all been suspended for breaches.
Chris
Guest
Having McGuire and Buckley holding the reins is a greater liability. Keeping Sidebottom as vice-captain also sends out the wrong messages to the group. Overhaul needed....
Chris
Guest
It's good to see some of our fans living in cloud cuckoo land! Bring on Pendlebury as coach and dispose of McGuire for starters. Find decent key position players for the spine and then talk about winning games. Strip Sidebottom of the vice-captaincy and appoint Grundy as captain. This club is in a deplorable mess.
Chris
Guest
I love Collingwood more than any other person on this page and it pains me to see the same issues blighting campaigns of football. Lack of discipline, player power, selfishness, reliance on mediation to right wrongs etc. We won't win a premiership for another 50 years at this rate. Moreover, write this season off and don't waste your time Pies fans in attending any functions or spending any of your hard earned cash on this rabble. Let me just leave you with this parting shot: Losers make excuses and winners find a way!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Spruce. The 5G thing was said for effect. Do I really think you are a 5G Covid conspiracy theorists? No. Yes we have been ordinary with each other and I apologise if the 5G comment was offensive.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
I agree Spruce. Means the others need to lift instead of looking for Fyfe to do all the heavy lifting.
Irie
Roar Rookie
¡Si, es los dos!
1DER
Guest
AFL footballers not the smartest tools in shed, hey Rory Lobb, Steele Sidebottom and a few others.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Eddie wanted the truth from Geelong, so he needs to front up and tell the truth, about gambling, drinking, name calling, Eddie will fall hard.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Not the truth I have heard. Ed would be knighted.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Please, wait until the truth comes out about Beams.....mate wait for that one and you will want Eddie sacked.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Beams? You blame the Pies for Beams mental health issues now? Sidey is a good Bloke and will be fine, we will see his cheeky smile in the GF
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Eddie told Geelong to tell the full story on Stevens…….. What about telling the full story on Beams, Stevenson and Sidebottom……Eddie.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
If you believe you could contest Collingwood you would, you can't do stfu it's another Victoria based player trying to cause issues in a season with way to many.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Losing Howe will hurt more than Sidebottom IMO.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Not in my part of the country.
Macca
Roar Rookie
The average (16.5) is blown out by 1 game against the Lions where he got 26 touches, the rest is less than 15. Even adjusting for the shorter quarters it isn't exactly fantastic.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Pies will be just fine. Get through this next block and we’ve already played Brisbane, Richmond, Geelong, GWS and the the Eagles. Surely undefeated after that!
Irie
Roar Rookie
The four weeks he got is fair
Nick
Roar Guru
Cue the mariachi band. Great. Great. ad.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Appropriate whack for Sidebottom! Good to see The AFL stand up to Eddie and the Pies. Interesting month ahead for the Pies