St Kilda stalwart Leigh Montagna has carved out a decorated career as one of the most consistent midfielders across the last decade, but he may perform a role he did last season again in 2016.

In the second-half of 2015 the dual All Australian went behind the ball at different times, providing the Saints’ defence with some added drive, poise and class coming out of the back 50.

And whilst the midfield department is still his forte, the 32-year-old is more than open to playing across half-back again this season if Alan Richardson deems it necessary, following a similar path to Western Bulldogs veterans Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy.

“I have done some training this pre-season with the backs,” Montagna told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily to play a full season in the backline, it’s just to probably add another string to my bow and to help the team. Last year we had periods where we struggled to get the ball out of defence.

“I’ve trained in the midfield for a long time now, done a fair bit of work in there, so it’s just to improve my game in the back half and help the boys get the ball out of defence.

“I think we saw Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd and what they were able to do for the Bulldogs last year.

“So it’s just something we can go to, probably not for the whole season but for games and for periods in games where I can go to half-back.”

Montagna is at the business end of his 15^th pre-season and will become just the 12^th player in the Saints history to reach the 250-game milestone when he plays against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 1.

In the twilight of his distinguished career, Montagna showed no signs of slowing down in 2015, averaging 28.6 disposals per outing across 17 games to finish fourth in the Trevor Barker Award.