Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has spurned both Adelaide and Port Adelaide to re-sign with St Kilda on a two-year deal to become the competition’s first $2 million player.
The 22-year-old had spent recent months weighing offers from his home state before recommitting at Moorabbin on Monday, as first reported by AFL Media’s Cal Twomey.
Wanganeen-Milera is set to earn $4 million over the life of the deal — $2 million per year — now cemented at the Saints through the 2027 season.
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Nine’s Tom Morris reported the Crows’ offer was between $1.5-1.7 million over a four-year span, while Port Adelaide offered a gargantuan $2.5 million per season over 12 years — an eye-watering $30 million in total.
But Wanganeen-Milera turned it all away to remain at the club which drafted him 11th overall in 2021. He has played 85 matches in that time, skyrocketing in the past 12 months especially to be a top-five player in the competition.
St Kilda confirmed the monumental retention in a statement on Monday afternoon.
“Nasiah’s commitment to the club is a strong vote of confidence in not only the culture we’ve built, but in the future we’re creating both on and off the field,” Executive General Manager of Football David Misson said.
“Nas is a well-loved and deeply connected member of our team. His decision to stay is brilliant news for the entire footy club, from the playing group to our loyal supporters.
“He’s an incredibly exciting and talented footballer, and we’re thrilled to watch him continue to develop as an integral part of our club.”
The smooth-mover has this year averaged 30.2 disposals, 5.7 rebound-50s and 3.8 inside-50s as a scintillating halfback-midfield hybrid; all but a certainty to win his maiden All-Australian blazer.
It’s a boon of epic proportions for the Saints, who are anticipated also to land Carlton restricted free agent Tom De Koning and ascending GWS intercept defender Leek Aleer this off-season.
The highlight of St Kilda’s season came thanks to Wanganeen-Milera’s heroics, with the South Australian booting two goals in the final minutes to help the Saints cap a historic comeback win over Melbourne in Round 20.
His season-best ball-winning effort came in Round 17 against Hawthorn, accumulating 43 possessions and eight inside-50s. ‘Nas’ has gone over 30 disposals on 10 occasions this season.
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