- Forward was unwanted by St Kilda
- Got second chance with Collingwood
- Has released hilarious video as he starts training
He might not play for St Kilda anymore, but new Collingwood recruit Tim Membrey is still being tormented by magpies.
Membrey kicked 293 goals in 178 games for St Kilda but was not offered a new contract by the Saints.
The 30-year-old underwent a medical at Collingwood last week, and earlier this month inked a two-year deal with the Magpies that ties him to the club till the end of 2026.
Membrey kicked 30 goals from 19 games last season, and he’ll be aiming to play a role in lifting 2023 premiers Collingwood back into the finals.
He has already been working on his fitness for pre-season training and posted a video to social media enjoy a run in the park.
But Membrey was joined by an unwelcome visitor – a swooping magpie.
But the new Collingwood forward had a brilliant quip for the aggressive bird.
‘I’m not a Saint anymore, I’m on your team now,’ he said after being clipped on the ear by territorial magpie.
Membrey will add an extra dimension in attack for a Collingwood side that won the AFL premiership in 2022 but crashed out of finals contention in 2023.
‘It happened pretty quickly to be honest,’ Membrey told the Collingwood website of his move to the Magpies.
‘It was pretty quiet for a while there and then my manager just rang me and said, ‘Collingwood are pretty interested, do you want to go and have a chat?’
‘I thought why not, and then on the Tuesday I caught up with a couple of guys in here (the AIA Vitality Centre) and the following day I had a medical and then I think the end of the day it was all pretty much good to go.’
And the Magpies said they offered the star forward a second chance as much because of his character as well as his ability.
‘We are pleased to welcome Tim to Collingwood,’ Collingwood Head of Football Strategy, Innovation and List Management Justin Leppitsch said.
‘We have been in discussion with Tim for some time and we have identified him as key talent for our list’s needs.
‘Above his football ability, Tim is a quality individual and strong leader, which we know will complement our program.’
