Champion St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna might have just called time on his decorated career, but he almost had his name called out by another
Hawthorn held the pick before St Kilda at No. 36 and spent some time deliberating over two small midfielders who would end up becoming two of the best midfielders of their generation.
One was Montagna, who had made his mark with the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup.
The other was Sam Mitchell, who after being overlooked by every club a year earlier, had dominated under Hawthorn’s noses at Box Hill.
“There’s a story with my draft: I found out that Hawthorn was really keen to take me with pick No. 36, but they had a debate at the draft because a young player named Sam Mitchell was playing at Box Hill in the VFL,” Montagna told saints.com.au ahead of next Friday’s NAB AFL Draft.
“They were debating whether to take me or Sam Mitchell and they thought well we can’t let this guy go, he’s come in and dominated for Box Hill. So the Hawks went with him at 36 and the Saints took me at 37.”
Despite never hearing from the Saints in the lead up to the draft, St Kilda swooped at the next pick, sealing Montagna for what would eventually be the next 16 years.
“There was no communication before the draft; St Kilda didn’t talk to me,” Montagna said.
“I found out after the draft that was deliberate because in those days word got out and other clubs found out and the club wanted to keep it a secret.”
Much has changed in recruiting since then, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the quality of that draft.
The 2001 ‘super draft’ is universally regarded as the best draft of all time, one that the dual All-Australian is proud to be attached to.
“I’m pretty proud of the fact I was in that ‘super draft’. At the time you don’t realise how special it is, but you knew ‘Juddy’ early days and ‘Hodgey’ what he’s done, even Gary Ablett and the Geelong guys,” he said.
“We had a healthy rivalry with the Geelong guys from that time – James Kelly, Stevie J [Johnson], [Jimmy] Bartel and Ablett. So there was a lot of respect there and looking back now you’re pretty proud to be a part of that draft. And I nearly outlasted most of them.”
For the first time since that draft in 2001, St Kilda has two picks inside the first ten selections, holding No. 7 and No. 8.
The Saints also have
