St Kilda cop backlash from AFL fans as Tim Membrey on cusp of joining Collingwood for free

St Kilda fans have hit out in anger after the club decided to delist veteran Tim Membrey, in a move that paves the way for Collingwood to sign the key forward for free. Membrey was restricted to just seven AFL appearances in 2023 due to injury but reminded fans about his quality in front of goal in 2024 after booting 30 majors across 19 games to be the Saints' second-most prolific goalkicker behind Jack Higgins (36).

All up, the 30-year-old kicked 293 goals in 178 matches for the Saints and was the club's leading goalkicker in three seasons (2016, 2017, 2019) and kicked more than 30 goals in seven campaigns. "The past 10 years have been an incredible privilege," Membrey said. "I have loved being here at the club with the many teammates who I am proud to call friends by my side, and have felt supported by the Saints faithful every step of the way. I am excited for this new chapter with my family and will forever be grateful for their support across my career and into the future."

Membrey was a well respected player at the Saints and was part of the club's leadership group in five of the 10 seasons he spent there. The key forward was vice-captain in two of those campaigns and has even captained the side twice in a stand-in capacity.

It's perhaps little wonder that St Kilda's decision to let him go has left plenty of fans disgruntled, many of whom have questioned why they didn't do more to keep hold of him. While others have questioned why St Kilda didn't try and trade him and get something back for the 30-year-old, rather than allowing him to join Collingwood once the delisted free agency window opens on November 1.

“He is joining Collingwood as a delisted free agent, and that just surprises me,” AFL reporter Tom Morris said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run last week. “Tell me I’m wrong, it just surprises me that the Saints are letting him go. I think he is and has been an important player for them. He’s durable, he’s not such a good team man, but he’s also a pretty consistent performer.

“I would love to know why Ross Lyon and the list management crew were OK to let him go and why they didn’t offer him a deal that allowed him to stay? I think he’s a good pick up for Collingwood. Yes, he’s on the wrong side of 30, but he’s probably still got a couple more good years left in him.

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“As a delisted free agent, I think that’s a that’s a good get for the Collingwood Football Club. They’ve picked up Dan Houston, they’ve picked up Harry Perryman, I’m fascinated by this.” AAP’s Oliver Caffrey commented: “Still cannot get my head around St Kilda letting Tim Membrey walk to Collingwood. Surely if they didn’t want to offer him a new contract they should have attempted to get something for him in a trade. A truly baffling decision.”

St Kilda pay tribute to departing Tim Membrey

St Kilda’s executive general manager of football David Mission paid tribute to Membrey in the wake of his delisting and described the 30-year-old as the "heart and soul" of the playing group across his 10 seasons at the club. “On behalf of everyone here at St Kilda, we would like to sincerely thank Tim for his exceptional service over the past decade,” Mission said.

“Tim has been the definition of a heart and soul player throughout his time at the club, giving his absolute all on and off the field. As we look to expose our young forwards to more senior opportunities moving into 2025, this was a tough but ultimately necessary decision to make. We wish Tim, wife Emily and children Wren and Beau all the best for whatever the future holds, and they leave forever part of the Saints.”

with AAP