In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of football news:
- St Kilda forward Tim Membrey has had minor knee surgery.
- The Western Bulldogs have employed AFLW coach Nathan Burke on a full-time basis.
Saints’ forward line takes another hit
Jon Pierik
St Kilda’s forward stocks have taken another hit, with veteran Tim Membrey undergoing minor knee surgery. He is now in a race to be fit for next month’s season opener against Fremantle.
Membrey was to have been an important figure inside attacking 50, coming after star full-forward Max King had a shoulder reconstruction after a training accident, and will miss the opening half of the season.
The Saints will also be without forwards Matt Allison (foot) and Jack Hayes (foot) for the opening weeks of the season.
Saints forward Tim Membrey is in a race to be fit for round one.Credit:Getty Images
Membrey will miss the practice matches against Melbourne and Essendon, but the Saints are hopeful he will line up in round one against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on March 19.
Membrey booted 34 goals in 22 games last season, behind only King, who had 52.
Burke to be Bulldogs’ AFLW full-time coach
Jon Pierik
The growing demands required of an AFLW senior coach has seen the Western Bulldogs extend Nathan Burke’s contract by two years and make him a full-time employee.
Nathan Burke has been given a contract extension by the Western Bulldogs, and will now be a full-time coach of the AFLW program.Credit:Sebastian Costanzo
Burke, the former St Kilda great and AFL Hall of Famer, has been with the Bulldogs since 2020. He has enjoyed 17 wins across four seasons, including leading the Dogs last season into their second finals campaign, but understands the spotlight is now more intense.
“To have another two seasons working with this group, it’s probably hard to narrow down what excites me most,” Burke said.
“There’s working with the actual players on their growth – we’ve been taking more steps forward each year, so what that end picture of success looks like excites me – but also just being part of the Western Bulldogs for another two seasons and getting to come here and work with great people.
“I’m under no illusion that my fifth and sixth seasons as coach comes with a bit more responsibility and expectations, but to have that is great. The fact that the club has shown that faith in me is amazing.”
Burke will have more opportunity to deal with players individually, while also having greater overall preparation, now he is on the payroll full-time. He will be one of seven full-time AFLW coaches.
AFLW players increasingly want full-time senior coaches, but club budgets remain an issue, particularly as the women’s season is relatively short, and therefore part-time for most players.
Carlton’s recent review found the club needed a full-time coach, a commitment coach Daniel Harford could not make.
Bulldogs’ executive director of football Chris Grant said Burke was invested in the program.
“Under Nathan’s tutelage, our AFLW team has continued to develop and improve, including making the AFLW finals in season seven. This was the first time since our inaugural premiership in season two, 2018,” Grant said.
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