DELIST BLISS
Suns AFLW talent not prepared to take no for an answer
GOLD Coast Suns graduate Jordan Membrey says being delisted by the Brisbane Lions after the inaugural AFLW season was the best thing to happen to her. Membrey has been given a second crack at the top level after being drafted by Collingwood with pick 50 last week.
The 22-year-old played five games for the Lions, including the grand final, in the AFLW’s first season in 2017 before being delisted. Membrey spent her season out of the AFLW working tirelessly to develop her skills and knowledge of the game and it’s paid off in spades.
The Southport resident worked as a development officer for AFL Queensland, played in a leadership role for the Suns in the Winter Series and worked with Hawthorn’s VFL side before earning a shot with the league’s biggest club.
“Being delisted by Brisbane gave me more determination and a drive as well,” the midfielder or forward said.
“It was the best thing that could have happened to me in my footy career. I’m benefiting from it now.
“I’m more proactive and putting myself out there now and I don’t think I would have done that if I stayed in the Queensland bubble.
“It’s worked out in my favour. I’m so rapt Collingwood have given me a second chance.”
Membrey had an interview with Collingwood officials two weeks before the draft and it was her experience and leadership that cemented her place in the minds of the Magpies staff.
“Having the opportunity in Queensland footy to coach and develop myself and my character made me the person I am,” Membrey said. “It was a massive learning curve but it built the foundation of what I was able to show in the interview.”
Membrey was aiming to play a season in the VFL before hopefully returning to the AFLW and she spent time training with Hawthorn’s VFL women’s team in June.
“I wanted to have that exposure and development and to have non-biased people giving me feedback,” Membrey said.
“It’s hard to find those high standards in Queensland. It’s nothing to what they have down south.
“I have done a lot of things off my own back to try to get up to that level. I’ve been trying to be productive about my footy.”
Membrey is studying to be a teacher and was in the middle of a lesson at Palm Beach Currumbin State High last Tuesday when the draft was on.
She watched it live on her phone and had a basketball court full of students celebrating with her as her name was called out.