St Kilda fans are expressing their frustration after the club decided to delist veteran Tim Membrey, allowing Collingwood to potentially sign the key forward for free. Membrey played only seven AFL games in 2023 due to injury but showcased his scoring ability in 2024, netting 30 goals in 19 matches, making him the Saints’ second-highest goalkicker behind Jack Higgins (36).
Overall, the 30-year-old scored 293 goals in 178 games for St Kilda, leading the club in scoring for three seasons (2016, 2017, 2019) and exceeding 30 goals in seven seasons. “The past 10 years have been an incredible privilege,” Membrey stated. “I have loved my time at the club with the many teammates who I proudly call friends, and I have felt supported by the Saints faithful throughout my journey. I look forward to this new chapter with my family and will always be grateful for their support during my career and beyond.”
Given his contributions, it’s no surprise that many fans are upset, questioning why the club didn’t do more to retain him. Some have even wondered why St Kilda didn’t explore trade options to gain something in return for the 30-year-old before he becomes a delisted free agent for Collingwood after November 1.
“He’s joining Collingwood as a delisted free agent, and that surprises me,” said AFL reporter Tom Morris on SEN’s The Captain’s Run. “I think he has been an important player for them. He’s durable, a great team player, and consistently performs.”
Morris expressed his curiosity about why coach Ross Lyon and the list management team were okay with letting him go without offering a new deal. “I think he’s a good pickup for Collingwood. Yes, he’s over 30, but he likely has a couple of good years left.”
AAP’s Oliver Caffrey echoed the sentiment: “I still can’t wrap my head around St Kilda letting Membrey go to Collingwood. If they didn’t want to offer him a new contract, they should have tried to trade him for something. It’s a baffling decision.”
One fan commented, “I kinda get it but don’t like it. If Tim ended the season the way he started it, we’d probably be saying to move on, but his last six weeks against tough opponents were impressive.”
In response to Membrey’s departure, St Kilda’s executive general manager of football, David Mission, paid tribute, calling him the “heart and soul” of the team during his decade with the club. “On behalf of everyone at St Kilda, we sincerely thank Tim for his exceptional service over the past ten years,” Mission said.
St Kilda’s choice to delist Tim Membrey has paved the way for him to join Collingwood at no cost.
“Tim has exemplified what it means to be a heart and soul player during his time with the club, consistently giving his all both on and off the field. As we aim to provide our young forwards with more senior opportunities heading into 2025, this was a difficult but necessary decision. We wish Tim, his wife Emily, and their children Wren and Beau all the best for the future, and they will always be a part of the Saints family.”