Deal overview

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera recently inked a two-year extension with St Kilda that ties him to the club until at least the end of 2027.

The deal is reportedly worth up to A$2 million per season, making him the first AFL player to reach that annual figure.

The big external offers he rejected

  • The Adelaide Crows were reported to have offered around A$1.5-1.7 million per season.
  • The Port Adelaide Football Club reportedly tabled a long-term deal of up to A$2.5 million per season over 12 years (totalling around A$30 million).
Embed from Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 15: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints warms up ahead of the round 23 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on August 15, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Why this matters for St Kilda

  • Retaining Wanganeen-Milera signals that the club is serious about building around him rather than losing their emerging star.
  • His decision gave the Saints stronger bargaining power in the trade/recruiting market — other recruits now see that St Kilda can retain key talent.
  • With their core pinned down (at least in part), the club is better positioned to structure moves around him and make targeted upgrades.

Recent developments

  • Although he re-signed in August/September, sources in October emphasise that Port Adelaide “will be well-prepared” to revisit Wanganeen-Milera’s future if the player seeks to return home at a later date.
  • Wanganeen-Milera’s on-field performance continues to justify the heavy investment: he averaged around 30.2 disposals per game in the 2025 season, led the league in kicks/metres gained and kicked 17 goals.
  • His standout Round 20 performance (four-goal, match-winning display) boosted his status dramatically.

Impacts on the broader trade/list-management landscape

  • Rival clubs now recognise that St Kilda is not simply a stepping-stone; key players are choosing to stay. This makes the Saints a more attractive destination and raises the bar on trade compensation.
  • The fact that Wanganeen-Milera agreed to a relatively short extension (two years) means his long-term future is still open — which could influence future list strategies both for him and the club.
  • For South Australian clubs (Adelaide and Port Adelaide), missing out is a warning: premium young talent may not always prefer home-state return deals, even with bigger money.

Bottom line

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s decision to re-commit to St Kilda is more than just a contract renewal — it’s a statement of ambition. It provides the club stability during an intense trade period, strengthens their recruiting narrative and reshapes how rival clubs view the Saints. While the short-term deal leaves the door open for future movement, the immediate impact for Moorabbin is unmistakable.