Collingwood signs Tim Membrey as delisted free agent amid friendship with Tom Mitchell

A lasting friendship with a former Sydney teammate helped convince Tim Membrey to move to a third club as Collingwood continues its daring ploy to keep the premiership window ajar.

The Magpies snapped up Membrey as soon as the delisted free agency period opened on Friday, with the 30-year-old forward given a two-year deal despite a perceived lack of interest from St Kilda.

The three-time Saints leading goalkicker had been delisted on Monday, but had already agreed to join the Magpies after catching their eye with a 14-goal hot patch as the Saints won five of their last six games in 2024.

“We welcome Tim, his wife Emily, and their children Wren and Beau to our club, and we look forward to introducing them to our Collingwood family when we return for pre-season training come November.”

“We welcome Tim, his wife Emily, and their children Wren and Beau to our club, and we look forward to introducing them to our Collingwood family when we return for pre-season training come November.”

Membrey became the 10th player over the age of 30 on Collingwood’s list leading into 2025 as the Pies stuck tight to coach Craig McRae’s bold “players over picks” strategy.

The Magpies this week delisted premiership defender Oleg Markov and Ash Johnson to free up the primary list space to go after Membrey.“players over picks” strategy.

The Magpies this week delisted premiership defender Oleg Markov and Ash Johnson to free up the primary list space to go after Membrey.