ST KILDA veteran Leigh Montagna concedes he may have played his last game, with the midfielder relying on the Saints to qualify for finals to play again in 2017.

Montagna, who is out of contract and weighing up his playing future, suffered a hamstring tear in Saturday night's clash against Sydney that the club said was "slightly worse" than normal.

The 33-year-old said his chances of playing again in 2017 rested on the 11th-placed Saints recovering in the final five rounds and finishing in the top eight.

"It's unlikely I'll play again, definitely (not) in the home and away season, so it's more serious than your normal hamstring as most people could see when I went down," Montagna said on Triple M on Thursday morning.

"There is still a chance that I could play finals. That's seven weeks away because of the bye, so if we make it I can start to push for finals.

"(Next year) is now up in the air … so I could have played my last game."

Montagna and champion teammate Nick Riewoldt are both engaged in discussions with the Saints about their playing futures, with Montagna in no rush to find out if he would be offered a contract for 2018.

He hobbled off the SCG last Saturday night knowing he could have played his last game and said he would meet with the club to discuss his playing future in the next two weeks.

"We'll all get together and we'll have those conversations about everyone's doubts, concerns, the possibilities and we'll make a decision from there," Montagna said.

"I've got some time to sit down and think about it, and I'll meet with the family and friends, some close confidants, the club, and see what they think and we’ll make a decision.

"Hopefully there's still either some footy to play in the finals or potentially, possibly next season."

Montagna has played 287 games for the Saints since making his debut in 2002, including all but one game in his 16th season.