3 minute read
Tim Membrey has capped off a whirlwind 48 hours where he became a father for the first time to help St Kilda upset reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG.
New father Tim Membrey has capped off one of the biggest weeks of his life by helping St Kilda upset reigning premiers Richmond.
The ace forward and his wife Emily welcomed their daughter Wren into the world on Wednesday night.
The Membreys arrived home from hospital on Friday, allowing the Saints vice-captain enough time to ready himself for the clash at the MCG later that night. Just.
"It was certainly different," Membrey told AAP of the build-up to the game.
"I missed training and a little bit of the prep with the meetings but was able to join the boys and obviously run out here and get the four points which is what we needed to do.
"She's doing really well, Em, and little Wren's doing great too so we're all happy at home now and all settled in."
Membrey, along with fellow club leader Seb Ross, put family first and missed the Saints' heartbreaking round 13 defeat to Adelaide in Cairns.
The pair withdrew from the clash with the Crows to return to Melbourne as COVID-19 restrictions created logistical nightmares.
Membrey wanted to support Emily, who was heavily pregnant, while Ross's wife had only recently given birth to twins in May.
Saints coach Brett Ratten hailed the performances of Membrey and Ross against the Tigers on their return to the team.
"I think every day's been pretty big for Seb with the two wins and juggling all that," Ratten said.
"I don't think he (Membrey) had much sleep so it was good effort to perform the way he did, and he's our vice-captain and he really stood up."
Membrey believed it was nothing special that sparked the Saints' resurgence to knock off the Tigers by 40 points, but it was important the group backed up that mighty effort.
"We've been having some tough and honest conversations with each other," Membrey said.
"We know what we've been dishing up has been nowhere near good enough and nowhere near the standard we believe we can play.
"Hopefully the guys now can believe that they can go up against the best and get a result.
"We know this year hasn't gone the way we would like it, that's why we need to address it now and not wait until the end of the year."
