Tim Membrey opens up about his mental health battle that led to him withdrawing from last year's elimination final.
"Last year didn't end the way I wanted it to end, but looking back on that now, it was something I had probably been dealing with for a long time and probably putting a mask on at times," Membrey said.
"I didn't know how to deal with what I was going through, who to speak to, who to trust. My wife certainly knew what I was going through and she was pushing me to get help, but I didn't really know what to do or how to get help. Ultimately, I had to get on top of it pretty quickly. Thank God I did.
"It was something that I thought, 'I'll be right, I'll keep pushing through'. It was probably more that things would linger and I would ruminate about things and that is why it is so important to reach out and get help when you need it."
Jack Steele will be the sole skipper of St Kilda in 2022 after sharing the captaincy duties with Jarryn Geary in 2021.
Geary stepped down as co-captain last week but will remain in St Kilda's leadership group alongside Callum Wilkie, with Tim Membrey and Dougal Howard to serve as co-vice-captains.
Tim Membrey signs a new three-year deal with St Kilda to remain at the club until the end of 2024.
"I think we're really building towards something special and we've got the right people at the club. We've recruited strongly with some gun players and I really do think the next few years are going to be exciting from here and I certainly want to be a part of that," Membrey said.
St Kilda will have co-captains in 2021 with Jack Steele joining incumbent leader Jarryn Geary as skippers of the club.
"To have 'Gears' alongside me is also really special. He's really taken me under his wing, and I've learned so much from him since joining the club. His leadership is second to none, not just his voice on-field, but also how he rallies the group off it," Steele said.
Defender Dougal Howard has also been fast-tracked straight into the seven-man leadership group as vice-captain alongside Tim Membrey.
Callum Wilkie is a first-time inductee and joins last year's members Seb Ross and Jack Billings.
Tim Membrey signs a two-year contract extension with St Kilda to remain at the club until the end of 2019.
"He obviously had a breakout season this year kicking 44 goals and playing 17 games, which was a reward for his hard work," Saints chief operating officer Ameet Bains said.
"At the age of just 22, we still think there is significant room for improvement still left in Tim. So we are delighted that he has locked in with us for at least the next three seasons at the club."
Developing synergy within St Kilda's new-look forward line is top of Tim Membrey's goals for 2015, with the former Sydney Swan keen to show he belongs at AFL level.
"I always thought I could play at the level – it's just a matter of being able to crack in, get a couple of games under my belt and settle in," Membrey told AFL.com.au.
"I know it's completely up to me whether I go out of the side or stay in.
"If I'm coming off the ground and I'm doing that and I'm happy with my effort, there's going to be a spot there for me in the side."
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt says he has been impressed by new Saints recruit Tim Membrey's attitude and commitment.
"He had really impressive questions," Riewoldt said.
"He was talking about the coaching philosophy at the club, the integrity of selection, leadership stuff, how do we measure success being a young group.
"He had a lot of really pertinent questions to ask me about the club when we spoke, and he seems like a guy who's really committed to getting the best out of himself, so I'm really excited to work with him."
Tim Membrey officially joins St Kilda as a delisted free agent.
"I'm delighted to have a player of Tim's calibre join the club," St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said.
"While it is still very early in Tim's football journey he has the potential to play a significant role in the forward line, developing into the midfield as he builds endurance.
"His kicking and marking, as well as his aggressive attack on the footy are real strengths."
Swans forward Tim Membrey has requested a trade to St Kilda.
"[The Saints] had a lot of interest during the year and we were in discussions a fair bit – they had people up to watch him a number of times," Membrey's manager Matt Bain said.
"They always had the really strong interest out of all the clubs. There was interest from a fair few, but they were the ones going pretty hard at him.
"When he met them, everything sort of all lined up.
"Sydney has said they won't really stand in his way too much. He's a brilliant kid so they're happy to facilitate a trade for him."
Tim Membrey makes his AFL debut for Sydney at the SCG with 9 disposals (5 kicks and 4 handballs), 4 marks and a tackle in a 22-point win over Essendon.