St Kilda raises eyebrows after delisting 179-game veteran Tim Membrey

Questions have been asked after St Kilda officially delisted key forward Tim Membrey after a decade at the club.

The path has been cleared for St Kilda veteran Tim Membrey to join Collingwood after the Saints officially delisted the 179-game key forward.

The 30-year-old Membrey has long been a key member of the Saints’ line up, where he led the team in goalkicking in three seasons (2016, 2017 and 2019).

Watch every game of the NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Kicking more than 30 goals in seven of the seasons he’s been at St Kilda, Membrey has been a reliable forward after joining the club with one senior match under his belt at Sydney.

A member of the Saint’s leadership group for five of his 10 seasons at the club including two as vice-captain — and two matches as stand-in captain — Membrey is widely respected at the club and will leave as a life member and 11th on St Kilda’s all-time goal kicking list.

But Membrey won’t be delisted for long as he has been strongly linked with a move to Collingwood once the delisted free agency window opens on November 1, having already reportedly gone through a medical.

However St Kilda’s decision to delist Membrey rather than trade him has raised a few eyebrows.

Tim Membrey is on the move. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Speaking on SEN’s The Captain’s Run last week, AFL reporter Tom Morris was perplexed that the Saints didn’t fight harder to keep Membrey, while others questioned why the club didn’t attempt to trade him.

“He is joining Collingwood as a delisted free agent, and that just surprises me,” Morris said.

“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.

“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.”

Membrey has kicked 292 goals from 178 games at St Kilda, including 30 in 19 games in 2024, second only to Jack Higgins, who had 36 in 20 games.

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.”

Another fan said: “Tim Membrey is now a DFA, making it easier for him to join Collingwood for no cost in draft capital?

“I think this is a good get as a free hit …?

“Well done Collingwood !”

Another fan said the decision was “good faith for loyal service”.

Tim Membrey kicked 30 goals in 2024. Photo: Michael Klein

Membrey paid tribute to the club, calling his journey “an incredible privilege”.

“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,” Membrey said in a statement.

“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.”

St Kilda’s executive general manager of football David Mission also paid tribute to Membrey.

“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.”

Originally published as St Kilda raises eyebrows after delisting 179-game veteran Tim Membrey