Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has reached out to Taylor Walker to assure him that Adelaide’s 2021 racism scandal won’t influence his trade decision, following explosive media speculation linking the two.
The St Kilda star personally phoned Walker on Tuesday night after a report suggested he wouldn’t consider a move to the Crows due to the veteran forward’s past racial abuse of Indigenous SANFL player Robbie Young.
The claim had reignited scrutiny over Walker’s six-game ban and the fallout surrounding it, particularly within South Australia’s Indigenous community.
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“No ill-feeling”: Wanganeen-Milera gets on the front foot
Speaking on FIVEaa, journalist Tom Rehn revealed that Wanganeen-Milera made the call to Walker to shut down the speculation directly.
“He’s called Taylor Walker directly to assure him that there is no issue with what happened four years ago and that the two have spoken at length and that any decision Wanganeen-Milera makes regarding his long-term future will not be impacted by what happened four years ago,” Rehn said.
“It shows the mature man that he is.”
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The 22-year-old, widely considered one of the Saints’ most valuable players, remains unsigned beyond this season. Both the Crows and Power are firmly in the race, with Port Adelaide believed to be buoyed by Wanganeen-Milera’s ties to club figures like Jason Horne-Francis and his uncle, club legend Gavin Wanganeen.
While speculation around the racism saga had thrown a cloud over Adelaide’s pitch, Wanganeen-Milera’s call appears to have steadied the waters.