St Kilda veteran Leigh Montagna has anointed the unassuming Jarryn Geary as the "front runner" to become the Saints' next captain.

After spending the last 10 years in the job, for a total of 11, Nick Riewoldt vacated the captaincy at the end of last season as the club's longest-serving skipper.

Jarryn Geary: Heading the shortlist to be the next St Kilda captain, says Leigh Montagna. Credit:Pat Scala

The champion Saint led his team in 220 games, the third-most in league history behind Carlton's Stephen Kernahan (226) and Essendon's Dick Reynolds (224).

Suffice to say, Riewoldt's successor has some pretty big shoes to fill, but Montagna said there was no shortage of quality candidates.