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Sport Nation
Trade talk: What Wanganeen-Milera said about his St Kilda future
Andrew Slevison • June 2nd, 2025 11:10 am
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s contact status is one of the more intriguing stories in footy in 2025.
The St Kilda star comes out of contract at the end of this season and is the subject of strong interest from both Adelaide and Port Adelaide given he’s from South Australia.
AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich was granted the opportunity to speak with 22-year-old Wanganeen-Milera on Sunday after he had 29 disposals in a 28-point win over Melbourne in Alice Springs.
He told Gabelich that he loves what the Saints have done for him as he embarks on a trip back to Adelaide during his club’s bye round.
“I’ve been trying to interview him for a while. Clearly one of the more interesting people in the game this year given his contract status,” Gabelich said on SEN’s Fireball.
“I reckon he's the most intriguing one apart from Marcus Bontempelli, but we all think he's going to stay at the Western Bulldogs.
“Yet to re-sign at Round 12, reason to be concerned if you're St Kilda, but it is the bye and the expectation is he heads home to Adelaide, he sits down with his manager, Ben Williams.
“Last night he did tell me how much he loves Ross Lyon, how much he loves the coaching staff, the club, and what they've done for him to date, and that he wants to be part of something special.
“He's not committal about what that means in 2026 and beyond, but pretty strong words from him last night after an incredible second-half performance after he spent 15 minutes off the ground doing that HIA.”
Wanganeen-Milera did cop a heavy knock from Demons forward Aidan Johnson during the second quarter of the clash. He was forced off the ground to undergo a HIA test but passed it before re-entering play and starring in the Saints’ win.
“I had to wait for him to go through a SCAT5 test post-game. He passed that as well,” Gabelich added.
“A big decision to come from Nasiah. Some nervous times for Saint Kilda, but geez he's a good player.”
So, when can Saints fans expect more news on Wanganeen-Milera’s impending decision?
“I don't know the answer to that,” Gabelich replied.
“I think this was an important part of the year for him, to get to the bye, to head home, to sit down with his manager, to work out what next year looks like.
“Clearly, he's very happy at St Kilda, very settled there. They've done a lot for him.
“He lives with Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager, the two other players that he was drafted with. He described them as his two best mates yesterday when I asked him about them.
“But the pull of home is real. Both those clubs have been heavily into him for more than 12 months, so he's got a big decision to make.
“I don't think we'll find out in the coming weeks, but we'll know soon enough.”
The Glenelg product is enjoying a superb season in Saints colours and is doing everything in his power to push for a debut All-Australian berth.
Wanganeen-Milera is averaging 28.4 disposals, 5.6 rebound 50s and 3.5 inside 50s - all career highs - and is second in the league for metres gained behind Geelong’s Bailey Smith.
