St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is shaping as the biggest story of this year’s trade period, with rival clubs circling as his contract winds down and pundits debating whether he is stringing fans along or brilliantly managing his value.
The 22-year-old has elevated himself into the Saints’ most important player this season, excelling across key metrics and producing another standout performance against Essendon on Friday night. His 24 disposals, 577 metres gained, five inside 50s and a goal underlined both his class and his influence in the two-point victory.
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Crows and Power lead the chase
With Wanganeen-Milera out of contract at year’s end and hailing from South Australia, Adelaide and Port Adelaide are at the front of the queue. But the Saints faithful have been left guessing.
On SEN’s Crunch Time, Gerard Whateley said the wingman’s handling of the saga was extraordinary: “If he knows he’s going, he has played it absolutely masterfully, by creating the illusion that he hasn’t decided what he is doing while playing soaring football. If he’s not leaving, then he’s torturing a fan base like we have never seen. But they will forgive him the moment he declares he is staying.”
Sam Edmund agreed, suggesting few players had ever increased their market value so dramatically.
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“I’m not sure anyone has handled a contract year better than this guy, regardless of what he does,” he said. “He has enhanced his value by close to a million dollars. The opening offer for Nasiah, admittedly late last year, was somewhere in the vicinity of $750,000. There’s another figure in front of that now.”
For now, Wanganeen-Milera insists his focus remains on finishing the season. Speaking to Channel Seven after the Essendon game, he said: “Obviously, it’s a decision, everybody knows about it … I’ve spoken to my manager and family as well, they’re included in my decision. I’m just focused on finishing the season off and giving my all to this football club, giving my all, playing week-in, week-out.”