Leigh Montagna’s permanent switch to a half-back flank has begun clinically in 2016, with the St Kilda star dominating a number of key indicators across the first four rounds of the season as he has transitioned into the Saints’ architect in defence.
The dual All Australian is ranked fifth in the competition for disposals (31.8 per game), and second for metres gained (568.1 metres per game) behind Gold Coast’s Aaron Hall, whilst using the ball at 76.4 per cent. Of his 127 touches, 68.9 per cent of them have been acquired backwards of centre as he has become the Saints’ quarterback.
Along with Shane Savage’s use out of the back half, Montagna has helped St Kilda’s ball movement on transition, allowing the Saints to prise through opposition defensive structures to create scoring opportunities further afield. After four games, St Kilda is ranked equal fourth for rebound 50 scores, behind runaway leaders Adelaide.
With elaborate opposition press’ making it increasingly difficult to find space on the rebound, Montagna believes the importance of highly efficient foot skills in the back half of the ground has never been more important.
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“I’ve been playing a bit of half-back now, and that was probably the idea of going back down there to get the ball out of there and try and find some targets,” Montagna told Triple M’s The Hot Breakfast on Thursday morning.
“Because now the way footballs being played, and everyone’s playing this press, you almost need your best users behind the football to break the line of the press and then you’re able to get the ball inside your 50 easier.
“So that was the reason behind the move.
“I can’t say I’ve played many games of my career in defence, but I’ve enjoyed the last three or four weeks down there.”
St Kilda face an in-form Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the Giants coming off the biggest winning margin in their short history after they beat Port Adelaide by 86-points in Canberra last weekend.
