Collingwood officially signed St Kilda forward Tim Membrey, who will join the Magpies as a delisted free agent on November 1. According to Channel 7 AFL reporter Mitch Cleary, the Saints anticipate delisting the 30-year-old soon after he passes a medical evaluation.
“This is just a formality,” Cleary said in a tweet early on Friday. “Membrey will join Collingwood after completing all medical evaluations.”
Membrey’s nine-year stint with St Kilda, during which he played 167 games and scored 280 goals, comes to an end with this move. He looked into other options after the Saints failed to offer him a contract extension. Collingwood moved swiftly to sign him, giving their forward line depth, despite interest from Essendon and Carlton.
Membrey had a strong finish to the 2024 season, netting 30 goals in 19 games, including 14 goals in the last six rounds after a midseason demotion to the VFL. His performance likely attracted the Magpies’ attention as they aim to bolster their forward line for another premiership run.
Collingwood’s list manager, Graham Wright, emphasized the need for experienced forwards to support the existing squad. With Brody Mihocek turning 32 and Dan McStay recovering from an ACL injury, Membrey is expected to fill this void, potentially contributing 20-30 goals next season.
Despite an ageing roster with ten players over 30 by the start of the next season, Membrey’s addition signals Collingwood’s focus on immediate success. The club has also made other key signings during the trade period, including All-Australian Dan Houston and GWS utility Harry Perryman, all while preparing to compete for the 2025 premiership.
Membrey, who joined St Kilda in 2015 after starting his career at the Sydney Swans, will be playing for his third AFL team. Collingwood has picks 52, 55, and 58 in the National Draft; the official announcement is anticipated prior to the draft.