Experienced St Kilda star Leigh Montagna says the building process is more important than acquiring premiership points at this stage of the evolution under Alan Richardson. Although one month into 2016, the dual All Australian is pleased with the in-roads the Saints continue to make.
Despite a 1-3 start to the season, Alan Richardson’s side has produced three impressive performances in the first month of 2016 and narrowly missed out on terminating Hawthorn’s 15-game streak at Aurora Stadium last Saturday.
Montagna, 32, has been one of the Saints prime movers in the early stages of the season, transitioning into St Kilda’s quarterback in defence with aplomb. The dual All Australian believes the signs have been positive in the early stages of the season.
“I think the ladder is what it is. I think we’re pleased that we’re playing the right way about our football, we’re going about it the right way, we’re aggressive with our ball use, we’re trying to be aggressive with our defence and we’re giving ourselves a chance. I think in three of our four games we’ve played that way,” Montagna said on AFL Tonight.
“For us it’s more about our process and the way we’re playing rather than necessarily our wins and losses at the end of the year. So as long as we keep improving, and play the way we want to play, a brand of football that’s going to take us to finals, that’s what we should be aiming for.”
In just his ninth game at AFL level, Paddy McCartin demonstrated some of the prodigious talent that saw him taken above all others in the 2014 National Draft, clunking strong marks above his head and booting a pair of goals.
The emerging spearhead may have missed an opportunity late, but Montagna was more impressed with his desire to be involved when the game was on the line, indicating McCartin would learn from the experience.
“It was exciting to see Paddy launch like that. He could have been on the back page of the Herald Sun if he had of kicked the goal,” Montagna said.
“I just love the courage for him to keep going for his marks and to want to be in that situation. Unfortunately he missed the goal but he’s played ten games and he will learn from the experience.”
