Eyes on Nas re-signing as Magpies ‘go again’ for stars
Roger Vaughan and Callum Godde |
The clock is ticking on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Matt Rowell, with rival clubs to queue up for the AFL duo and other stars coming off contract.
At Wednesday night’s end to the trade period, St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes fielded questions about what might happen to Wanganeen-Milera in a year’s time.
He and Max Hall are major re-signing priorities for the Saints.
Hall finished third and Wanganeen-Milera was fourth this season in club best-and-fairest voting.
A year ago, Wanganeen-Milera rejected massive interest from his native South Australia to re-sign on a two-season, $4 million deal.
That made the silky 23-year-old playmaker the AFL’s first $2 million player.
St Kilda said at the time – and Hayes repeated it on Wednesday night – that it was up to the club to convince players including Wanganeen-Milera and Hall they should stay at Moorabbin.
The Saints finished 11th this season and the pressure is building for a finals return under coach Ross Lyon.
A deal with Wanganeen-Milera was not struck until late in the 2025 season.
“We’re really comfortable where those (current) discussions are,” Hayes said.
“We’re not going to put a timeline on that and Max Hall is probably the other one.
“They’re obviously going to be priorities for us. I’m really confident that both of those guys believe in the direction of our footy club.”
Hayes was asked about the inevitable interest again from Port Adelaide and Adelaide in Wanganeen-Milera.
“Like any of our good players, there are going to be other clubs interested,” Hayes said.
“Nas is one of the best players in the competition.”
Next year’s crop of free agents-to-be include Sydney’s Chad Warner, Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell and Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey.
De Goey was open to a move this off-season for a long-term contract, but Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch insisted no club made contact about the 30-year-old or defender Dan Houston.
After bringing in dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale from Brisbane, Leppitsch flagged Collingwood would go big-game hunting again in 2027 and may make a play for Victorian native Rowell.
“We’re in the fight for the best players in the competition every year,” Leppitsch said.
“Out of respect to Gold Coast, he’s (Rowell) their player. In the background we’ll have conversations about opposition players as they do with ours.
“Even though we missed out on Zak Butters this year, we’re in a position to go again for that type of player.”
Meanwhile, Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie admits there was a risk in having traded to secure injury-plagued Essendon defender Jordan Ridley.
The 27-year-old only managed seven games this season but when fit, Ridley is a damaging player off half-back.
“Clearly there have been injury issues … hopefully a change of scenery can really help that,” Mackie said of Ridley.
“There’s an element of risk.”
Geelong were again major players in the trade period, recruiting GWS captain Toby Greene as a free agent and giving up draft pick No.14 for St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall.
This year’s trade deadline will also be well remembered for the deals that did not happen.
Adelaide defender Nick Murray failed to get to North Melbourne, Richmond flag winner Jayden Short did not cross to Collingwood and Essendon could not broker a trade for Geelong’s Gryan Miers.
OTHER MAJOR TRADE AND FREE AGENCY MOVES:
* Zak Butters – The superstar free agent signed at the Western Bulldogs, with Port not matching his nine-year deal after a separate five-team trade
* Nick Blakey – North Melbourne acquired the disgruntled Sydney star for pick No.6 and more draft capital
* Zach Merrett – After holding him last year, Essendon granted their former captain his wish to join Hawthorn for a package of draft picks
* Ben King – The Gold Coast free agent joined Hawthorn, with Sam Butler and Aidan Schubert separately traded to appease the Suns
AAP