St Kilda duo Tim Membrey, Seb Ross in doubt for Crows clash

A pair of star Saints have returned home to Melbourne this week.

EDITOR | June 7, 2021 - 9:45am

St Kilda duo Tim Membrey and Seb Ross are in doubt for their side's clash against Adelaide on Saturday after returning to Melbourne.

The pair are understood to have returned home for "various reasons" following Saturday's loss to Sydney.

St Kilda are scheduled to face the Crows at Cazaly Stadium, Cairns on Saturday night, with that fixture possibly facing a switch due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Sam Jacobs of the Crows competes for the ball with Tim Membrey of the Saints during the round 12 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on June 9, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Speaking on SEN on Monday morning, St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean revealed there is some doubt whether Membrey and Ross will be able to feature for the Saints this weekend.

“They headed home after the game Saturday, so they’re not with us right now and I guess unlikely to be able to join us for this game, this week, wherever that might be,” Lethlean said.

“If it’s in Sydney, it’s probably a bit easier, but if it’s at Cairns, it’s probably unlikely. But they’ve both headed back for various reasons.”

Ross' partner, Marni, recently gave birth to twins last month, while Membrey's wife, Emily, is currently pregnant, as both players are understood to be looking to be with their families for the time-being.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Sebastian Ross of the Saints looks to pass the ball during the round 15 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the St Kilda Saints at Domain Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Lethlean stated there would be some complications should the duo hope to play on Saturday, but overall would depend on where the match is situated.

“It really depends on their situation back at home. If they felt like they could rejoin us, there are … complications in getting that done,” Lethlean said.

“But their intention is to be home this week and not playing, because they’ve got family matters to deal with and that’s supported by us.

“If it’s Queensland, there are exemptions we’re going in there on, if we do go there, which is best summarised as 14 days away from Melbourne lockdown.

“They would have re-entered Victoria, not necessarily through hot spots and obviously under lockdown restrictions, so we just don’t have clarity as to whether that’s OK to join the Queensland travel party if we do end up there, so there’s a fair bit to all that.”

Membrey has been in fine form for the Saints so far this season, booting 18 goals from 12 games and averaging 15.5 disposals and 7.5 marks per outing.