St Kilda cop backlash from AFL fans as Tim Membrey on cusp of joining Collingwood for free.
St Kilda supporters are upset with the club’s decision to delist veteran Tim Membrey, allowing Collingwood to acquire the key forward for free. Membrey made just seven AFL appearances in 2023 owing to injury, but in 2024, he scored 30 goals over 19 games, making him the Saints’ second-most prolific goalkicker after Jack Higgins (36).
Overall, the 30-year-old scored 293 goals in 178 outings with the Saints, being the club’s highest goalkicker in three seasons (2016, 2017, 2019), and scoring more than 30 goals in seven. “The past 10 years have been an incredible privilege,” Membrey told the crowd. “I’ve enjoyed being here at the club with so many players who I’m glad to call friends at my side, and I’ve been supported by the Saints supporters throughout. I am delighted about this new chapter with my family and will be eternally thankful for their support during my profession and in the future.”
Membrey was a well respected player at the Saints, serving on the club’s leadership team in five of his ten seasons there. The main forward was vice-captain in two of those campaigns and captained the team twice as a stand-in.
It’s no surprise that St Kilda’s decision to let him go has enraged many supporters, who have questioned why the club didn’t do more to keep him. Others have questioned why St Kilda didn’t try to trade him and obtain anything in return for the 30-year-old, rather than allowing him to join Collingwood when the delisted free agency window starts on November 1.
“He’s joining Collingwood as a delisted free agent, and that just surprises me,” AFL writer Tom Morris told SEN’s The Captain’s Run last week. “Tell me I’m wrong, but I’m surprised the Saints are letting him leave. I believe he is, and has been, a significant player for them. He’s tough, he’s not a great team player, but he’s also a very consistent performer.
“I’d like to know why Ross Lyon and the list management team were willing to let him go and why they didn’t offer him a contract that would allow him to stay? I think he’s a terrific fit for Collingwood. Yes, he’s on the wrong side of 30, but he probably has a few more strong years remaining.
“As a delisted free agent, I believe that is a fantastic acquisition for the Collingwood Football Club. They’ve scooped up Dan Houston and Harry Perryman; I’m interested by this. AAP’s Oliver Caffrey said, “I still can’t get my mind around St Kilda letting Tim Membrey go to Collingwood. If they didn’t want to offer him a new deal, they should have tried to acquire something for him via exchange. “A truly baffling decision.”
Read more on sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply