Young gun shuns SA to become AFL’s first $2 million man
An Adelaide-born Saints star is set to become the AFL’s first player to earn $2m in a season after knocking back the lure of home to stay loyal to the club that drafted him.
Ross Lyon has spoken plainly about Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s AFL re-signing, saying it would have been “catastrophic” had the young gun left St Kilda.
Wanganeen-Milera, one of the brightest young talents in the game, has given the Saints their best news in 15 years by rejecting huge interest from the Adelaide clubs and committing for two more years.
The 22-year-old breakout star becomes the first AFL player to earn $2 million per year in signing through to the end of 2027.
A membership offer released to celebrate the news generated so much interest it crashed the club website on Monday afternoon.
“A good dopamine release, bit of euphoria … relief as well, because it’s such an important piece of our puzzle,” Lyon told the Seven Network of his reaction when Wanganeen-Milera told him on Monday afternoon.
“It would have been catastrophic for the overall strategy, because from there it’s like ‘well, where’s our really high-level performer?
“He’s top of the pops at the moment as a 22-year-old. It would mean a re-calibrating of the strategy, I would have thought – how many drafts do you need to go to? How do those free agents, that we’re trying to track, look?
“So it was a pivotal piece.”
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The Saints coach found out when Wanganeen-Milera texted him and then walked into his office early on Monday afternoon with teammate Brad Hill and assistant coach Corey Enright.
Hill’s baby daughter Harriet broke the news at a Saints players’ meeting, sparking raucous scenes.
“We love Harriet and we love Nas,” Lyon yelled.
Wanganeen-Milera had been cagey about his future, the most hotly anticipated contract call this year, amid his breakout season. He turned his back on monster long-term offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide.
The hot speculation is that St Kilda will also recruit Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning, meaning he and Wanganeen-Milera will take up about 20 per cent of their salary cap.
Wanganeen-Milera said he is glad the “stress” of his decision is over, adding family and teammates were pivotal. The catalyst was his parents paying a visit last week.
“It was always up in the air around the course of the year, but I had a firm chat with my parents and manager,” the Adelaide native said.
“The relationships I have here were huge in my decision … I just felt like it wasn’t right to leave.
“I wanted to achieve something special with (teammates) … I love all the boys.”
The South Australian was the major target for Adelaide and Port, though neither realistically had the draft capital to appease the Saints in a trade this year.
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The short-term contract means the two Adelaide clubs will circle again with fresh attempts to lure Wanganeen-Milera back to his home state, and with time to amass better trade capital.
But the deal also gives St Kilda the opportunity to show their young star, pivotal to their on-field fortunes, that Moorabbin is the place to be long term.
It is the best news for long-suffering Saints fans since their team was in premiership contention in 2009-10.
Wanganeen-Milera, who was pick No.11 in the 2022 draft, has been moved from half-back into the midfield with devastating effect this season.
The silky-skilled star with a scintillating turn of pace has emerged as a genuine matchwinner.
That included a breathtaking performance against Melbourne, including the final two goals at the death to deliver a six-point victory.
Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee was among Power players who made direct pitches to Wanganeen-Milera.
“Not only us, but I think every side in the competition would love to have a player like him,” Rozee told reporters on Monday.
“He has earnt every part of what is coming his way.”
With their main man locked in, St Kilda will continue to attempt to bolster their list around him.
The Saints have a huge seven-year contract in front of free agent De Koning, with the ruckman expected to walk for close to $1.7 million per year, and are also after GWS defender Leek Aleer.
Midfielder Marcus Windhager is yet to re-sign, while popular ruckman Rowan Marshall appears no certainty to stay.
St Kilda won’t play finals this season but are on a four-game winning streak ahead of facing the Giants away on Sunday.
-with AAP
