The AFL’s delisted free agency period has officially commenced, and the Collingwood Magpies wasted no time in making a splash. The club announced on Friday that they had secured the services of former St Kilda forward Tim Membrey on a two-year contract, tying him to the black and white until the end of 2026.
Membrey, who kicked 293 goals in 178 appearances for the Saints, found himself without a contract at the end of the 2024 season. However, the 30-year-old’s search for a new home was brief, with the Magpies swooping in to add the experienced goalkicker to their roster.
A New Chapter for Membrey
Speaking to the Collingwood website, Membrey expressed his excitement about the move, stating, “It happened pretty quickly, to be honest. 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?”
The former Saint, who booted 30 goals from 19 games in 2024, underwent a medical at the Holden Centre last week before putting pen to paper on Friday. Membrey will be aiming to play a key role in the Magpies’ bid to return to the finals in 2025 after a disappointing campaign this year.
Cats Pounce on Martin
Meanwhile, down the highway at GMHBA Stadium, Geelong is preparing to welcome former Carlton and Gold Coast utility Jack Martin. According to sources close to the situation, the Cats are poised to sign the delisted free agent as they look to bolster their attacking options.
Martin, who has played 97 games across his stints with the Blues and the Suns, will add versatility and experience to a Geelong forward line that bid farewell to club legend Tom Hawkins at the end of the 2024 season.
Lions on the Prowl
Up north, the Brisbane Lions are also on the hunt for reinforcements in attack following the surprise retirement of Joe Daniher at just 30 years of age. The club is rumored to be interested in former Gold Coast key forward Sam Day, who was among the players cut by the Suns at season’s end.
Day, a 199cm marking target, could provide the Lions with a much-needed focal point inside 50 as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing exit in the 2024 finals series.
Dockers Casting Wide Net
Over in the west, Fremantle is reportedly keeping tabs on former Geelong and Port Adelaide forward Quinton Narkle. The speedy goalkicker is said to be close friends with new Dockers recruit Shai Bolton, fueling speculation that a move to the purple haze could be on the cards.
However, insiders suggest that Narkle is more likely to join Fremantle as a pre-season supplemental selection rather than through the delisted free agency window.
Opportunity Knocks for Delisted Talents
As the delisted free agency period unfolds, a host of other players will be hoping to catch the eye of recruiters and secure a fresh start at a new club. Among those on the lookout for an AFL lifeline are:
- Former Geelong forward Gary Rohan
- Ex-Hawthorn defender Denver Grainger-Barras
- Former Melbourne utility Adam Tomlinson
- Geelong premiership midfielder Brandan Parfitt
With clubs always on the hunt for experienced talent and hidden gems, the coming weeks promise to deliver plenty of intrigue and surprises as the AFL’s player movement landscape takes shape.
As one source put it, “The delisted free agency period is always an exciting time. You never know who might pop up where, and there’s always the potential for a club to unearth a bargain that could make a real difference to their prospects going forward.”
For the likes of Membrey and Martin, the chance to continue their AFL journeys at new clubs represents an opportunity to write fresh chapters in their careers and prove that they still have plenty to offer at the highest level.
As for the fans, the coming weeks will provide no shortage of talking points as they eagerly await news of the next big move in what promises to be a fascinating period of player movement across the league.
