IT IS hard to believe that Tim Membrey has only just turned 21 and is just nine games into his AFL career.

Boasting a mature body and a raft of tattoos, the ex-Swan appears older than his birth certificate would suggest.

On Saturday night against the Western Bulldogs, Membrey played his best game for St Kilda, according to Alan Richardson.

He collected a career-high 17 disposals and pumped the ball inside 50 on four occasions.

“It was Tim’s best game for the club,” Richardson said in the post-match analysis.

“He didn’t quite hit the scoreboard but his ability to get off his man and mark the ball and win the ball in contest, whether it be aerial or ground, was good. His use of the footy was strong and I thought Tim was very impressive.”

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And Richardson is not interested into handing games to young players on a platter, rather building a culture that places a strong emphasis on VFL form is this season’s mantra – especially with a healthy list of players.

Membrey is an example of this, having been forced to fight his way back into the team after a string of strong performances for Sandringham.

“If it’s the right thing by the team to bring in a young player it will be because that young player has earnt his position,” Richardson said.

“We can’t just throw young blokes in because they’re young. They need to come in because we think they can play their role and probably more importantly they’ve earnt the right to play their role.”

Membrey played one game at Sydney last season before arriving at St Kilda in the summer. At 188cm, his ability to crash packs and rove them makes him a difficult player to match up on.

This season he has booted five goals for the Saints playing as a high half-forward. Against the Bulldogs, he even drifted behind the footy occasionally to cover Billy Longer, who has a license to push forward.

Although he is committed to rapid improvement, the Gippsland Power product understands that the quickest way to reach his goals is to simply watch, listen and learn.

“I’m trying to soak up as much as I can with all of the coaches and the older guys around me,” Membrey told SAINTS.com.au post-game.

“I’m trying to tinker with a few things I do each week and just keep improving. It will come with a bit more experience.” 

Tim Membrey celebrates a goal.