St Kilda will be without Tim Membrey for the elimination final against GWS after the key forward was withdrawn only hours before the opening bounce due to a “personal health matter”.
Key points:
- The Saints were given permission to take Membrey out of their squad on Saturday morning
- The club says Membrey is “receiving appropriate care and treatment”
- Anthony Caminiti replaces Membrey in the Saints line-up
The AFL gave the Saints permission to take Membrey out of their side on Saturday morning, a few hours before the match at the MCG.
He was replaced in the team by Anthony Caminiti.
“Membrey is currently receiving appropriate care and treatment due to a personal health matter,” St Kilda said in a statement.
“Tim’s health and wellbeing is our primary concern and the club asks that Tim and the Membrey family’s privacy is respected at this time.”
Membrey had returned for St Kilda’s final three home-and-away matches after overcoming a knee injury.
The experienced forward had been poised to line up in attack alongside fellow tall Max King for just the third time this season.
The 29-year-old had recently spoken of his excitement about playing in a finals series for just the second time in his decade-long career.
“It’s been a bit of a frustrating year personally but we finally got there, the knee’s feeling great and the body’s feeling good,” Membrey said last week.
“I’m three games in and my fitness level and everything is up to scratch, which is good.
“I’m hitting all the numbers I need to hit and I’m as confident as if I’d played the whole year.”
A crowd of more than 65,000 is expected for St Kilda’s first finals appearance in Melbourne for 12 years.
AAP
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Source: AFL NEWS ABC
