St Kilda veteran Leigh Montagna made a strong return from a calf strain in Sandringham’s practice match against Port Melbourne on Sunday, while key forward Paddy McCartin put his hand up for a senior recall.
Both Montagna and McCartin played the first three quarters at Trevor Barker Oval, before having their workloads managed in the final term. Montagna collected 18 disposals in his first appearance of 2017, while McCartin kicked three goals.
Sandringham Coach Lindsay Gilbee lauded the effort by Montagna who could come straight back into the St Kilda line-up for the trip to Western Australia to face West Coast.
“That was our fourth practice match and our strongest Saints contingent so far and obviously ‘Joey’ came back and played and conducted himself really well,” Gilbee told saints.com.au on Monday afternoon.
“He got through the game which was the aim, got a fair bit of the footy too, so that was a positive.
Monday Wash-Up: Round 1 v Melbourne
“‘Joey’ was really solid down back with his leadership and his ability to set up our defence behind the footy; he was very good and his ball use and intercepting was outstanding.”
McCartin provided a key target in attack alongside rookie tall forward Rowan Marshall (five goals and nine marks) and draftee Josh Battle (four goals and six marks).
Gilbee was pleased with McCartin’s work rate after the 20-year-old was a late withdrawal from St Kilda’s Round 1 clash against Melbourne on Saturday.
“His work rate around the ground was really positive and gave him the opportunity to get to as many contests as he could,” Gilbee said.
“Paddy was double teamed at stages, launched at the ball and did what he had to do.”
Round 1 emergency Blake Acres (22 possessions) and Jack Sinclair (27 possessions) put their best foot forward on Sunday, while former Saint Tom Curren (21 possessions) also led the way in the midfield.
