- Was working on roving sections in Collingwood barns
- Sidebottom spotted in group of people
- Did not recognize the Australian champion
Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor is known for his roving interviews after AFL matches, but he missed a trick after Collingwood’s nail-biting preliminary final win, mistaking an Australian superstar for the brother of a Magpie.
Collingwood held on for a thrilling one-point win over GWS on Friday evening and spirits were high in the dressing rooms as ‘BT’ walked in with microphone in hand.
He spotted Magpies veteran Steele Sidebottom and immediately went over for a chat.
“Steele Sidebottom here,” Taylor began.
“Is this the brother, Steele? It looks like a brother.
‘No? Who is it?’
Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor asks Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom if the guy next to him is his brother
The man in question, circled, was actually Australian wicketkeeper and batsman Matthew Wade
The man Taylor was talking about was Australian wicketkeeper and batsman Matthew Wade, who has played more than 200 matches for the Aussies in all three formats of the game.
“Matty Wade,” Sidebottom replied.
“It is, Matty Wade the cricketer. I thought he looked like you,” Taylor said.
So what was Wade doing in the Collingwood barns after the match?
The big Tasmanian is actually the cousin of Magpies defender Jeremy Howe
Matthew Wade and Jeremy Howe are cousins and often celebrate each other’s sporting achievements
Jeremy Howe dressed in Australian Test Cricket gear with his wife Kahlia Ashton (centre) and Bec Wade, wife of Matthew Wade
Meanwhile, Collingwood forward Daniel McStay looms as the love story of AFL finals week as he nervously awaits the results of scans on his injured knee.
McStay scored two crucial goals in the Magpies’ thrilling one-point preliminary final win – 8.10 (58) to 8.9 (57) – over GWS on Friday evening before hurting his right knee during the third quarter.
He tested the joint but was ruled out after three-quarter time as the match was still on the line.
McStay cut a despondent figure amid otherwise jubilant scenes in the Collingwood dressing rooms after the match.
‘He’s going to have scans done. I’m not very good with the terminology, I’m not sure if it’s an MCL,” Magpies coach Craig McRae said.
‘I’m not sure yet, so we’ll have scans done. I don’t want to make a final decision on it, but I think he might be unlucky if he misses it. We’ll wait and see.
“Right now, until you really know, put your arms around him and show your love and support as best you can.
“That will happen quite quickly, I thought.”