Dermott Brereton has defended his criticism of St Kilda veteran, Leigh Montagna, after the Saint took offence to a column penned in the Herald Sun by the five-time premiership player.

The outspoken Brereton declared “it is joked around the league that the hardest contested ball Montagna will fight for is against a teammate — to take the kick in after a behind.” Montagna responded by calling Brereton, asking him to clarify the comments, as he felt they were a form of a personal cheap shot.

However, in his first public comments about the situation since Montagna’s response, Brereton stood by his article, believing it had an impact in his 20-disposal effort in the 57-point loss to Adelaide on Friday night.

“Unfortunately for Leigh, he has turned it into an issue, and the issue illustrates he isn’t having the best of times,” Brereton said.

“If you read the article, you’d see I was saying I think the Saints have moved on from him. Montagna would have been better of making light of it. Saying that’s Derm, and what a cheeky bastard he is. He needs to roll with the punches, especially if he wants a job in the media. If he can’t roll with the punches, the media is not for you.

“It actually affected the way he played on Friday, he didn’t go for the kick in very much at all. I don’t think he had one tap on the boot from a kick in. He needs to grow a bit of a thicker skin.”

The 1985 All-Australian also added an explanation to the analogy he used to describe Montagna’s form.

“Montagna wasn’t happy and that’s fine,” Brereton said.

“Alan Richardson, when he found out that the comment upset his player, he is obligated to pass comment and denounce what I wrote, which is understandable. Motagna has been a very good player and is looking to get into the media, and I’d say, sometimes you need to have a laugh at yourself.

“His defence was I was having a low dig. If I was going to have a dig at someone, I would come straight out and have a crack at them. When you’re in the media and make a light hearted comment, one you would in the locker room, there is a light hearted nature in it. He pointed out that Heath Shaw, Sam Docherty and some others tap it on their boot as well, and I said I know Heath, and I give it to him as well.

“It was a locker room way of describing something that isn’t flattering. He has been a wonderful player, but father time waits for no one. I told him, after 426 games, I saw Michael Tuck get tapped on the shoulder, I saw Leigh Matthews get tapped on the shoulder, and I got tapped on the shoulder.”