Nick Dal Santo, Justin Koschitzke and Leigh Montagna were on Wednesday evening honoured with Life Memberships ofthe St Kilda Football Club.

The three players received the recognition at the Club’s 2012 Season Launch held at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) in front of 700 loyal Saints supporters.

Nick Dal Santo was presented with the award by fellow Life Member and the Club’s Heritage Museum Coordinator, Georgie Day.

Dal Santo was drafted with selection 13 in the 2001 National Draft from the Bendigo Pioneers, making his St Kilda debut in 2001 against Geelong during Round 4.

The three time All-Australian has played 216 games and kicked 118 Goals.

“I’m very honoured and privileged to receive a Life Membership at a club that has had so much history and has been around for so long,” Dal Santo said.

“I’ve learnt so much and met so many great people in the decade I’ve been here,” he concluded.

Justin Koschitzke was awarded his Life Member title by ex-St Kilda great and Director of the St Kilda FootballClub, Nathan Burke.

The versatile key position player made his debut for the Saints against West Coast in 2001 during Round 3, after being drafted with selection 2 in the 2000 National Draft from the Murray Bushrangers.

“It’s a great privilege to be recognised as a Life Member at such a great Club,” Koschitzke said upon being presented.

“It’s impossible to play with one club for so long and finish up a worse person. I think I am definitely a better person since joining, and that’s all thanks to the St Kilda Football Club,” he concluded.

He was named the winner of AFL’s Rising Star in 2001and has since made 176 games and has kicked 216 goals.

Leigh Montagna was the final St Kilda stalwart toreceive Life Membership.

He was drafted with selection 37 overall in the 2001 National Draft from the Northern Knights and made his debut in 2002 against Collingwood in Round 6.

Upon receiving the award presented by Director of the Club, Andrew Thompson, Montagna expressed his gratitude to St Kilda Football Club.

“I’m grateful for all of the opportunities St Kilda has given me over the years,” Montagna said.

The hard-running wingman is a two-time All-Australian and was an International Rules representative in 2008 and 2010.

He also finished 2nd in the Club’s Best and Fairest in2010, and finished 3rd twice in 2007 and 2009.

Best known for his kicking ability and teamwork, Montagna received an AFL Rising Star nomination in 2003.

“I’m excited about the fact I’ll be a part of the St Kilda Football Club for the rest of my life,” he concluded.

Montagna has played 169 games and kicked 100 goals.

Life Membership of the St Kilda Football Club is awarded to players who have been at the Club for 10 years and played over 150 games.