Champion midfielder Leigh Montagna doesn't finish his career with a premiership medallion, but he does finish his career as a one club player, which is something he considers to be the next best thing.
The dual All-Australian came agonising close to tasting the ultimate success not once, but twice.
One goal separated St Kilda and Geelong when the final siren sounded in the 2009 Grand Final. And a year later, scores were level when the 2010 edition
“We didn’t win the premiership, but the next best thing is to be a one club player,” Montagna told saints.com.au on Wednesday after announcing his retirement.
“I’m going to be a St Kilda person for life; my kids will follow St Kilda; I’ll always be welcome back hopefully, and can watch on for the rest of my life and be really proud when this club does win their second premiership.”
While Montagna and the Saints had their hearts broken in consecutive seasons, the 33-year-old describes the Grand Final era as the ‘greatest period’ of his life.
“We don’t have the premiership medallion but we’ve got the bond of a group that will hang around for a long time,” Montagna said.
“That was an amazing period and probably something you reflect on more when you’re finished about how good of a group we had and the bond we had.
“That’s obviously the greatest period of my life; we had some amazing times and some amazing games of footy and I’ve played with some of the greats, so that’s always going to be the fondest period of my career.”
Montagna’s retirement arrives just days after St Kilda bid farewell to one of its greatest players and one of the star wingman’s closest mates in Nick Riewoldt.
The man who the Saints recruited with pick No. 37 in the 2001 National Draft said it was a privilege to share the rollercoaster ride of league football with the champion
“That’s been amazing to watch and that’s probably part of delaying the decision a little bit too,” he said.
“Nick needs his moment in the sun, he’s one of the greatest of all time. I’m privileged to have been there for nearly the whole journey.
“To play with guys like that and to tell my kids one day is going to be pretty special and more importantly though is the mateship I have for life is something I’ll walk away with and be very proud of.”
