Leigh Montagna
Encyclopedia
Leigh Montagna is an Australian rules football
er in the Australian Football League
. Montagna was recruited as the number 37 draft pick in the 2001 AFL Draft
. He is a midfielder with St Kilda Football Club.
r.
He was recruited to the St Kilda Football Club as the number 37 draft pick in the 2001 AFL Draft
.
winning side.
In Round 8, 2007, in a match against Hawthorn, Montagna suffered a broken jaw but only missed one week with the injury. Although 2007 was the first since 2004 that the St Kilda side had missed out on playing in the finals series, it was the season that saw Montagna become a top line AFL footballer. Montagna played consistently throughout the season and continued the improvement he had shown in 2006. He played an accountable and hard running role through St Kilda's midfield, averaging 24 disposals and 3 tackles per game and kicking 10 goals for the year. Some of Montagna's highlights for the year included best on ground performances against the Kangaroos, Richmond and Hawthorn in the second half of the year. Montagna was rewarded for his efforts with a third place finish in St Kilda's 2007 best and fairest.
winning side - the club's third pre-season cup win.
Montagna played in 21 of 22 matches in the 2009 aeason in which St Kilda qualified in first position for the finals series. He played in the 2009 AFL Grand Final
in which St Kilda were defeated by 12 points.
As of the end of the 2010 season, Montagna had played in 13 finals matches including three grand finals.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. Montagna was recruited as the number 37 draft pick in the 2001 AFL Draft
2001 AFL Draft
The 2001 AFL Draft consisted of a national draft, a rookie draft, a pre-season draft and a trade period. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League .In 2001 there were 83...
. He is a midfielder with St Kilda Football Club.
AFL career
Montagna is a hard running wingman who is known for his kicking ability and teamwork. He enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006, only missing one match and gathering over 400 disposals for the season. He averaged 19 disposals a game, increasing his averages in both contested and uncontested possessions. He is a strong tackleTackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
r.
He was recruited to the St Kilda Football Club as the number 37 draft pick in the 2001 AFL Draft
2001 AFL Draft
The 2001 AFL Draft consisted of a national draft, a rookie draft, a pre-season draft and a trade period. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League .In 2001 there were 83...
.
2004 season: Wizard Home Loans Cup
Montagna played in St Kilda’s 2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup
The 2004 Wizard Home Loans Cup was the Australian Football League competition played in its entirety before the Australian Football League's 2004 Premiership Season began...
winning side.
In Round 8, 2007, in a match against Hawthorn, Montagna suffered a broken jaw but only missed one week with the injury. Although 2007 was the first since 2004 that the St Kilda side had missed out on playing in the finals series, it was the season that saw Montagna become a top line AFL footballer. Montagna played consistently throughout the season and continued the improvement he had shown in 2006. He played an accountable and hard running role through St Kilda's midfield, averaging 24 disposals and 3 tackles per game and kicking 10 goals for the year. Some of Montagna's highlights for the year included best on ground performances against the Kangaroos, Richmond and Hawthorn in the second half of the year. Montagna was rewarded for his efforts with a third place finish in St Kilda's 2007 best and fairest.
2008 season: NAB Cup
Montagna played in St Kilda’s 2008 NAB Cup2008 NAB Cup
The 2008 NAB Cup was the Australian Football League pre-season competition played in its entirety before the Australian Football League's 2008 Premiership season began...
winning side - the club's third pre-season cup win.
2009 season
Montagna averaged 27.9 disposals and 6.25 tackles in 2009.Montagna played in 21 of 22 matches in the 2009 aeason in which St Kilda qualified in first position for the finals series. He played in the 2009 AFL Grand Final
2009 AFL Grand Final
The 2009 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football game contested between the St Kilda Football Club and the Geelong Football Club at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 September 2009...
in which St Kilda were defeated by 12 points.
2010 season
Montagna played 26 games in 2010, including four finals, and averaged 28.6 possessions. He finished second in St Kilda's Best & Fairest Award (Trevor Barker Medal), and was selected in the AFL's All-Australian team for the seond year in a row.As of the end of the 2010 season, Montagna had played in 13 finals matches including three grand finals.