A shoulder reconstruction last September put Tim Membrey on a path towards producing a breakout season in 2016, which culminated in the power forward earning St Kilda’s Best Emerging Player Award at last Thursday’s Trevor Barker Award.

Forced away from the main group for most of the pre-season, while his shoulder was on the mend, the 22-year-old spent the bulk of the summer months building his engine at Linen House Centre. And it’s an outcome that has paid dividends this season for the former Swan.

“I had a pretty big pre-season coming off a bit of shoulder surgery, so I’ve just been able to put the km’s in to the legs and really work with the physios, the strength and conditioning coaches, and just (become) confident in my body. For me I think to go to the next level that was the most important thing to do,” Membrey told saints.com.au at Crown Palladium.

“To come back after the Christmas break and then to be ready to come back into the main group and get the contact work in, I think it just gave me the confidence when I was ready to get that opportunity going forward so as soon as I was able to come into the senior team I knew I could hold my spot.”

After returning to the senior side in Round 6 following one game in the VFL, Membrey more than held his spot in Alan Richardson’s side. He booted five goals upon return against Melbourne, then kicked three sets of three in the next month to entrench himself inside 50.

From there, the Gippsland Power product with the arms covered in ink, added another three bags of five goals, as well as a haul of four, to finish with 44.18 (No. 10 in the AFL) from 17 games. He also averaged 3.1 marks inside 50 (No. 4 ), from 6.1 per game.

As his numbers attest, Membrey’s year was carved from consistency. Renowned for his professionalism and attention to detail, the spearhead attributes his consistent season to his focus on recovery between games.

“I think I’d just put it down to recovery really. Once you get into the team it’s obviously a really hard game and you get a lot of knocks and niggles, so just being able to get the recovery right, week-in week-out, working closely with the physios. Being able to back it up week-in week-out is important,” Membrey said.

With Membrey working alongside last year’s leading goal kicker, Josh Bruce, and emerging key forward, Paddy McCartin, there’s plenty of reason to be excited about St Kilda’s long term setup inside 50.

And with Nick Riewoldt shifting forward at times, and still around to impart his wisdom on the next generation, Membrey and co are in good hands.

“We feed a lot off him (Riewoldt). Brucey, as well, has taken a massive leadership role for us down there. It’s just really good having them two to feed off for me and Paddy,” he said.

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