New one-year AFL deal for Montagna

St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna has signed a one-year contract extension.

Veteran Leigh Montagna says St Kilda are learning some hard lessons from close AFL losses. (AAP)

Evergreen St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the AFL club until at least the end of 2017.

Montagna, 32, is a two-time All-Australian and has recorded five top-three finishes in the Saints' best and fairest award.

"I am really excited about the journey we are on as a team and happy to continue to be part of it," Montagna said.

"It's also a great show of faith from the club to sign me up and have faith in my body and ability to keep playing for another couple of seasons."

Having come up just short in the 2009 and 2010 grand finals, the Saints embarked on a rebuilding campaign, with the likes of Brendon Goddard (Essendon) and Nick Dal Santo (North Melbourne) deciding to try their luck elsewhere.

Montagna and 33-year-old duo Nick Riewoldt and Sam Fisher are now the three oldest players on the Saints' list under third-year coach Alan Richardson.