Wanganeen Milera AFL Free Agency: Record Contract Decision

Few moments in AFL free agency spark as much debate as a young star choosing loyalty over a massive hometown offer. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera just made that call, turning down huge deals from Port Adelaide and Adelaide to stay at St Kilda.

Record contract: $2 million per season ·
Contract length: Two-year extension ·
First AFL player to earn $2m per year: Yes ·
Rejected offers from: Port Adelaide and Adelaide ·
Contract signed: August 2025

Seven key facts at a glance — one pattern: the contract breaks every existing benchmark for a player with fewer than 50 games at the time of signing.

How much is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s contract per year?

What is Wanganeen-Milera’s current contract?

Wanganeen-Milera will earn an average of $2 million per season over the two-year extension. That makes him the first AFL player ever to reach the $2m-a-year threshold, according to AFL.com.au (official AFL news site). The figure surpasses previously reported deals for stars like Finn Callaghan and underscores the rising salary ceiling in the competition.

Annual salary breakdown

• Base salary: $2 million per season
• Reported incentives and bonuses not publicly disclosed
• First $2m annual contract in AFL history (ESPN)

Contract length and options

The deal runs through to the end of the 2027 season. Wanganeen-Milera turned down longer-term offers from Port Adelaide (reportedly up to 12 years at $2.5m/year) and Adelaide ($1.5–$1.7m/year over four years), as detailed by BigFooty (AFL fan community site).

The pattern: the contract resets market expectations for young stars and will force rival clubs to rethink their salary structures.

Who is the $2 million player in St Kilda?

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is the 22-year-old winger who became the face of St Kilda’s future after a breakout 2025 campaign.

Profile of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

• Born in South Australia, of Indigenous Australian descent
• Drafted by St Kilda at pick 11 in the 2022 AFL Draft (ESPN)
• Plays as a wingman/high half-forward
• Wears guernsey number 9

Career trajectory and breakout season

In 2025, Wanganeen-Milera averaged 30.2 disposals per game, kicked a career-high 17 goals, and led the AFL in total kicks, per AFL.com.au. His Round 20 performance—a four-goal, match-winning display—reportedly accelerated contract talks.

The pattern: after just two seasons, his output jumped into the elite bracket, prompting both Adelaide clubs to pursue him with record offers.

The implication: St Kilda needs to build a contender quickly to keep its star.

Where is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera from?

Birthplace and upbringing

Wanganeen-Milera was born and raised in South Australia. He played junior football for Glenelg in the SANFL before moving to Melbourne to join St Kilda in 2022. His family roots are deeply tied to the state’s Indigenous communities.

Family background

His surname Wanganeen is of Indigenous Australian origin—the same family name as AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen, though they are not directly related. This cultural heritage is a point of pride for the young star.

The catch: leaving home was a risk that paid off for both player and club.

Is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera indian?

Ethnicity and cultural background

No. Wanganeen-Milera is of Indigenous Australian descent, not Indian. The confusion may arise from his surname, which some interpret as South Asian. In reality, Wanganeen is a traditional Indigenous name from the Kokatha people of South Australia.

Common misconceptions

Because the name “Wanganeen” sounds similar to some Indian surnames, casual observers sometimes assume Indian heritage. This is inaccurate. The player himself has spoken about his pride in Aboriginal culture, though he maintains a relatively private public profile.

The pattern: such misconceptions underscore the need for accurate cultural reporting.

Why did Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera choose to stay at St Kilda?

What offers did Wanganeen-Milera receive?

Adelaide reportedly tabled a four-year deal worth between $1.5 million and $1.7 million per season. Port Adelaide went further, offering a staggering 12-year contract at up to $2.5 million per year—a total package around $30 million, according to BigFooty. Despite the huge numbers, Wanganeen-Milera chose to remain at Moorabbin.

Reasons for loyalty to St Kilda

Wanganeen-Milera has indicated that he values the environment built under coach Ross Lyon and sees St Kilda’s list as capable of a premiership push within his contract window. Staying with the club that drafted him and gave him his AFL debut carried emotional weight.

The implication: for a player with a strong sense of identity and loyalty, a “homecoming” offer—even one worth tens of millions—was not enough to outweigh the comfort and trajectory of his current club.

Timeline: Wanganeen-Milera’s path to the record deal

• 2022: Drafted by St Kilda at pick No. 11 (ESPN)
• 2024–2025: Breakout season; averages 30.2 disposals, 17 goals, leads AFL in total kicks (AFL.com.au)
• Mid-2025: Adelaide and Port Adelaide register interest; speculation intensifies
• August 2025: Signs two-year extension at $2 million per year; rejects SA offers

The pattern: each milestone built leverage for a historic deal.

What we know for sure vs. what remains unclear

The takeaway: the core facts are solid, but some details remain private.

“Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will stay at St Kilda on a bumper two-year deal.”

— AFL.com.au (official AFL news site)

“Port Adelaide offered up to A$2.5 million per season over 12 years, totaling around A$30 million.”

— BigFooty (AFL fan community site)

Wanganeen-Milera’s decision reframes the AFL free agency landscape. He turned down a 12-year offer worth $30 million from Port Adelaide—the richest contract ever dangled before a player his age—yet chose a shorter, still-record deal at St Kilda. For the Saints, the bet is simple: they have a player who values environment over earnings, at least for now. For rival clubs, the takeaway is equally stark: even a decade-long, A$30 million offer may not sway a player who feels at home.