Leigh Montanga and Nick Dal Santo have been bestowed one of St Kilda Football Club’s most prestigious honours, this afternoon being inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
Both heroes in their own right amid arguably the Saints’ most star-studded era, Montagna and Dal Santo become the 49th and 50th respective members of the esteemed St Kilda company.
The beloved ‘Joey’ Montagna played 287 games for St Kilda between 2002-2017, establishing himself as one of the competition’s premier wingmen – and later half-back – to complete the club’s all-star midfield alongside Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes and Brendon Goddard.
Courageous and skilful in every aspect of his game, Montagna may never have snared a Best & Fairest having finished on the podium five times, but was an undisputed great of his era for his consistency and influence.
Currently an established presence in the football media, the two-time All-Australian has gone on to become one of the game’s most recognisable voices and a strong advocate for the red, white and black.
Similarly, Dal Santo’s influence extends far beyond his on-field prowess which garnered him as one of the Saints’ favourite sons, currently serving as senior coach of St Kilda’s AFLW side alongside his multiple media commitments.
Dubbed the ‘Smooth Mover’ for his innate ability to extricate himself from the most congested of situations, Dal Santo represented the Saints for 260 matches between 2002-2013, before closing out his career at North Melbourne with a further 62 games across three years.
Dal Santo was awarded three All-Australians (2005, 2009, 2011) during his illustrious career and even finished second in the Brownlow Medal count of 2011.
The pair accompany brilliant full forward Bill Mohr’s posthumous elevation to Legend status, seeing him become just the 10th St Kilda figure to achieve such distinction.
Mohr was the Saints’ most prolific forward prior to the arrival of Tony Lockett over 50 years later, booting 735 goals in his 195 appearances, bringing light to a team that was establishing its identity and had previously struggled to kick a winning score.
The boy from Wagga Wagga with a deadly accurate kick was St Kilda’s Leading Goalkicker for 12 consecutive seasons from 1929-1940, won two Best & Fairests and the 1936 VFL Leading Goalkicker Medal, captained the club for one season in 1937, represented Victoria 18 times and was later named in the Saints’ Team of the Century and Australian Football Hall of Fame.
“We are all very proud to welcome Nick and Leigh to the Hall of Fame, and celebrate Bill’s elevation to Legend status,” St Kilda CEO and Honours and Awards Committee member Simon Lethlean said.
“All three were champion players of their respective eras, with their names now forever enshrined among the greatest to have ever pulled on the red, white and black.
“Tonight’s recognition is all the more special, coinciding with out 150th Year Anniversary Game at the MCG, in which we celebrate every single person to have represented our colours both on and off the field.
“On behalf of the entire football club, I would like to congratulate Leigh and Nick on this wonderful achievement, and hope Bill – wherever he may be – too feels the immense pride that this decoration brings.”
