‘Better headspace’: Why missing a final two years ago will help Tim Membrey this time around

Rejuvenated Collingwood forward Tim Membrey says he would not be back on the finals stage if he had not addressed the mental health problems that curtailed his last tilt at September.

Two years after withdrawing from the St Kilda team on the day of their elimination final, the veteran sharpshooter says he is in a “much better headspace” heading into the Magpies’ crack at a second flag in three seasons.

Days before he lines up in just the third final of his 12-year and 200-game career, Membrey spoke openly about his off-field struggles from 2023.

Dogged by injuries, Membrey was limited to just seven games that year. Not as well known at the time, he was also battling mental health issues that he said he kept pushing aside until matters came to a head at the most important stage of the season.

“Like anyone who’s going through some mental health issues has to do is just to be honest about it,” Membrey told this masthead.

“I think the hardest thing to do is just to put your hand up and say you are struggling and you need some help. Now with the AFL and the players association, especially with all the great resources involved, it’s a great avenue for players to go to, and that’s something that I had to do.

“I had to just put my hand up and say, ‘No, I wanted to get myself right’.

“While it wasn’t great timing and I missed out on the finals, I felt like I need to do it for me and for me to grow as a person, and I’m so glad I did it because it’s got me into a much better headspace now.

“I had some things going on for a while and then being that year just probably came to the tipping point. I just needed to deal with it, and I’m glad I did.

“It just so happened to be a final I missed out. I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for that.

“I’m so grateful that I had the support around me and got help, and here I am now.”

Membrey said the magnitude of the final was not significant in him calling out for help.

“It wasn’t just that, if I hadn’t dealt with it then, it would have probably just festered and festered and got worse,” Membrey said.

“I’m glad I did it when I did it, to be honest. I wish I didn’t come to that point and wish I got onto it earlier, but it just happened when it happened, and, yeah, I missed the out on that final.

“Now I can move forward, and I’ve dealt with that, put that to bed. I’m in a much better space now to play finals footy.”

Membrey, 31, is a veteran of the AFL but not of finals. His only taste of finals came in the COVID-ravaged season of 2020 when the Saints bowed out in the semis to eventual premiers Richmond.

One of the inescapable differences Membrey has noticed at his new club is their history of success.

At St Kilda, he said, players spoke of their passion to be the team that ended a drought that is approaching 60 years, whereas at Collingwood reminders of glory are everywhere; from the 16 V/AFL flags adorning the indoor field and gym at the Magpies’ headquarters, to the club’s museum displaying their premiership cups, hall of fame and memorabilia.

“You just feel that being in this environment that it’s just going to be successful,” Membrey said.

“That’s all they talk about is being successful. You definitely feel that presence when you’re walking into the place.

“It’s painted all over the walls, in the locker rooms and down the hallways. There’s just photos of moments, games and players that have come from the Pies and just been so successful.

“To be here in this position and going into a finals campaign, it’s exciting that we might get the opportunity to cement ourselves in some history.”

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