Montagna waves farewell to Saints

ST Kilda’s Leigh Montagna has joined his former skipper Nick Reiwoldt in calling time on his AFL career.

Montagna yesterday announced his retirement after 287 games and 16 seasons for the Saints.

The club had already farewelled Riewoldt, with the pair playing almost all of the careers together.

‘Joey’ Montagna told his teammates yesterday afternoon of his decision.

“For the past 16 years, the St Kilda football club has been my home and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to play out my career as a oneclub player,” the 33-year-old admitted.

Montagna said he would leave the game content, knowing he had given everything he could, finishing in the top four of the club’s bestand-fairest award nine times in the past 10 seasons.

He injured his hamstring in round 18 against Sydney in what would turn out to be the final game of his career.

“As I wasn’t a chance to play again this season, there was no rush in a decision,” he said.

“I wanted to take my time and weigh up my options.”