The way mates can take sides (5)
I believe the answer is:
teams
'sides' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'the way mates can' is the wordplay.
'mates' can be anagrammed to 'TEAMS'.
But, I'm not sure how the anagram is indicated.
'take' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for teams that I've seen before include "Crews" , "Groups or troupes" , "Lots of players" , "Groups of people working together" , "Squads" .)