St Kilda veterans Leigh Montagna and Nick Riewoldt have been the centre of attention at the Saints of late, with several media personalities suggesting the pair should hang up the boots at the end of this season.
Former Hawthorn star, Dermott Brereto, is the latest to do so, suggesting Montagna is off the pace in an article for the Herald Sun on Friday.
Brereton wrote that Montagna's "kicking lacks the zip of the other backline distributors" at the club.
"He doesn't run the lines from defence" or "win critical contests" Brereton added.
Montagna, speaking on Triple M on Sunday afternoon, said he can accept criticism of his form and age, but not, what he described as 'cheap shots', such as what came next.
"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," Brereton wrote.
Montagna said he called Brereton to clarify his remarks.
"Yeah, that did (sting), that last comment," Montagna said.
"I saw the article on the Friday and I actually phoned Dermott, because I thought I don't mind talking about my form and whether my kicking lacks zip or I'm too slow or I'm too old, that's fine.
"I just thought when it was more of a personal cheap shot and taking the mickey out of me, I didn't think that was appropriate.
"So I just asked him if he had an issue with me and if there was anything I needed to know, because I've never really had any issues with Dermott.
"It was good for me to be able to get that off my chest and speak to him. He gave me a response which was okay, but we move on."
Montagna, who is now 33 years old, is out of contract at season's end and is yet to be offered a new deal by the Saints. He has played all bar one game this season and is averaging 25.7 disposals per match.