ST KILDA onballer Leigh Montagna hopes a subtle change in tactics can help him deal more effectively with being tagged and shrug off his "patchy" form this season.

Much like the Saints themselves, Montagna has enjoyed some up and down form in 2008 but came back strongly in the second half against North Melbourne last weekend to rack up 25 disposals and a clutch goal in his team's stunning come from behind victory.

"It was something that, throughout the middle part of the year, I was struggling with," Montagna said of being the subject of hard tags each week.

"It was something I had to work through and Rob Harvey's been brilliant to talk to about that sort of thing."

Montagna says a change of focus from the coaching staff had helped free him up over the past two games.

"The coaches sort of identified that and changed my role a little bit ... last week I had the job on (Fremantle's) Peter Bell just to shake the tag.

"It was helpful on the weekend to be able to break the shackles a little bit and get a bit of footy in the second half."

Montagna is part of a St Kilda midfield that has come under heavy scrutiny this season, with Nick Dal Santo becoming a high profile casualty when he was dropped for the Saints clash against Fremantle two weeks ago.

"I know Nick Dal Santo has had similar troubles," said Montagna while noting that close attention is something players such as himself and his skilful teammate need to become used to.

"It has been tough but it is just something you have to work through ... hopefully we come out of it better players."