St Kilda is set to wait until after the trade period has ended to make a decision on Leigh Montagna's future with the club.
While Montagna's preference is to play on in 2018, it appears that he has been told that he will need to wait until October 19, the final day of the trade period, to learn of his future at the club.
The club veteran has previously said that he was "hungry" to play on next season and while it seems as though that has not changed, the 287-game veteran could yet retire before the club makes a call.
On Monday night, St Kilda coach Alan Richardson confirmed that Montagna's future was still undecided.
“Given that ‘Joey’ [Montagna] is not playing, to some extent a mutual decision has been parked,” Richardson told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“While there is constant conversation and a growing understanding of where it sits, we’ve really just parked it.”
Former Saint Luke Ball, Montagna's close friend, suggested Montagna would be comfortable with retirement should a decision be made in the near future, though that does not appear to be happening.
“Having spoken to him, he’s content with whatever decisions are made over the next few weeks,” Ball said ahead of the EJ Whitten Legends Game on September 1.
“He’s got a solid media career in waiting. I caught up with him a little while ago and chatted to him about his future and subsequently he obviously injured his hamstring which may have changed things.”
Montagna will make his commentary debut for Triple M this Friday night when he calls the Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn clash, however, after averaging 25 disposals per game in 2017 prior to tearing his hamstring, it appears as though he has more to give to the football club that has been his home since 2001.
With Nick Riewoldt already announcing his retirement, losing over 600 games worth of experience could prove costly for a side looking for sustained September action in the immediate future.
