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Saints Lock Wanganeen-Milera in AFL First $2M Deal

18/08/2025|SB Staff|AFL News
<h2>Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera signs historic new deal at St Kilda&nbsp;</h2> <h2>Quick Hands Summary:&nbsp;</h2> <p>-Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera inks two-year deal with St Kilda in big show of faith to the rising club</p> <p>-Contract reportedly worth $2 million per season, setting new AFL pay benchmark</p> <p>-Saints secure rising star amid competitive balance concerns in the league and lucrative contracts from SA clubs in his home state.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, the 22-year-old South Australian native, has recommitted to St Kilda for two years, rejecting long and lucrative offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide in a short-term deal reportedly worth $2 million per season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Saints Lock Down Their Crown Jewel</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>In a massive coup for St Kilda, star midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has put pen to paper on a lucrative two-year extension, turning his back on the allure of a homecoming to South Australia. The 22-year-old's decision to stay put at Moorabbin has sent shockwaves through the AFL community, with his new deal reportedly set to make him the league's first $2 million man.</p> <p>Wanganeen-Milera's meteoric rise this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Averaging a career-high 30.2 disposals per game and leading the competition in kicks and metres gained, the silky-skilled Saint has firmly established himself as one of the AFL's premier players.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>A Vote of Confidence in the Saints' Future</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"From the moment I arrived at St Kilda, the staff and my teammates have supported me in every way, not just to be a better footballer, but a better person," Wanganeen-Milera said in a statement that would have Saints fans grinning from ear to ear.</p> <p>The young gun's commitment to the red, white, and black is a massive endorsement of the club's direction under Ross Lyon. With eight players already re-signing this year, including Jack Higgins and Hunter Clark, there's a palpable sense of excitement building at RSEA Park.</p> <p>The signature is only the start of a busy off-season at RSEA Park, with the Saints widely expected to land Restricted Free Agent, Tom De Koning from Carlton, on a reported $1.7 million a season salary. The Saints are also tipped to secure rising Giants defender Leek Aleer via a trade, too.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Competitive Balance Boost</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Wanganeen-Milera's decision to stay with St Kilda is not just a win for the Saints, but also for the AFL's ongoing battle for competitive balance.&nbsp;</p> <p>With concerns mounting about the widening gap between the league's haves and have-nots, keeping a star of Wanganeen-Milera's calibre at a club like St Kilda is a big tick for the direction of the club and good for the league to keep spreading the elite talent across the competition to ensure we avoid other uncompetitive seasons like this one.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints currently sit 11th on the ladder, a whopping 20 points adrift of the top eight. Retaining their best player gives them a genuine superstar to build around as they look to climb back into finals contention.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Work Starts Now</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While Saints fans will be popping champagne corks, the club's hierarchy knows the hard work is just beginning. With Wanganeen-Milera locked in for two years, the pressure is now on to surround him with the talent needed to challenge for silverware.</p> <p>St Kilda's list management team will be burning the midnight oil, with their attention now turning to luring Carlton big man Tom De Koning to Moorabbin. If they can pair Wanganeen-Milera's midfield magic with a dominant ruckman, the Saints could quickly become a force to be reckoned with.</p> <p>For now, though, St Kilda fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Their main man is staying put, and the future is looking brighter than ever at Linton Street.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Can Nasiah win the 2025 Brownlow Medal?</h2>
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