‘Wasn’t going to sit well’: The moment star Saint left his coach ‘in tears’

St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has opened up on the moment he knew his future was at the Saints – and not back home in South Australia.

The 22-year-old had loomed as the biggest out-of-contract call in the AFL, with his signature tipped to be a “generational” move.

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Despite plenty of speculation he would head back to South Australia four years after he was drafted, Wanganeen-Milera said he had “unfinished business” at Moorabbin.

“About a month ago, mum and dad came down to Melbourne,” he shared while speaking on his first All-Australian blazer nod.

“I sat down with them and sort of just said I’m going to stay. I felt like it wasn’t going to sit well with me if I left. Felt like I had unfinished business at the Saints.”

The 2021 first round draft pick then shared how he informed coach Ross Lyon about his decision.

“I think it was last week I ended up messaging Ross about an hour before we went in and I said ‘oh can I catch up with you for five minutes?’. And he said, yeah sure,” he recalled.

“I said I’ll be a the club at 12.30.

“He was there. I’m pretty close with Brad Hill and I said (to Hill) do you want to come in – I’m going to tell Ross?

“I ended up telling Hilly a couple of days before.

“(Assistant coach) Corey Enright, who I’ve got a good connection with, I sort of brought them into the room. I said, ‘oh yeah I’m going to stay’.

“I think Ross had a few tears in his eye.

“I gave him a hug … I want to tell the lads before it’s out in the media. Next thing you know, I think 10 minutes later Cal Twomey reported it.

“We rushed all the boys in – Hilly’s daughter announced it which was pretty cute.”

The two-year deal reportedly ensured Wanganeen-Milera became the first $2 million player in the AFL – and it’s a payday the young gun doesn’t take lightly.

“It’s obviously a lot to the family,” he said.

“Every time I got out on the field it’s to play for them.

“Pretty fortunate enough to get that (deal). I’m just grateful to be in this position at the Saints.”

It’s the first time Wanganeen-Milera has opened up on his new deal at the Saints, which club great Leigh Montagna dubbed the biggest St Kilda contract call since Tony Lockett’s 31 years ago.

On Thursday night, the young Saint became one of 11 players to earn their first All-Australian blazer, joining the likes of Riley Thilthorpe, Zac Bailey, Hugh McCluggage (in his fifth time lucky), Jordan Clark, Bailey Smith, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Josh Battle, Kysaiah Pickett and Ed Richards.