Slowly but surely, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is transforming from a quiet kid to an insightful and assured member of St Kilda’s backline, and his teammates say they are all the better for it on the eve of their return to finals action.
Shifted to halfback after an impassioned plea to Ross Lyon by Saints assistant Corey Enright, the nephew of Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen has been one of his team’s most consistent players in 2023.
The 20-year-old’s numbers this season compare favourably to All-Australian defenders Dan Houston and teammate Jack Sinclair, and along with Sinclair and Callum Wilkie, Wanganeen-Milera has played every single game in the competition’s stingiest defence.
Wanganeen-Milera began the season with an expiring contract and speculation swirled that the South Australian would return home after a first season spent battling homesickness, but in April the Saints were thrilled to extend his stay until at least the end of 2025.
He said his growing friendships with young teammates including Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens and Isaac Keeler had been important in his decision to persevere in Melbourne, along with housemate Mason Wood, who is enjoying his own career-best season.
“Obviously, I had my struggles last year … it was really daunting with challenges when I moved away from home, but I had good people around me at the Saints,” Wanganeen-Milera said.
“Some of the older guys too like Mason Wood, I’ve lived with him for the last year, and Brad Hill as well have made it a lot easier.
“We’ve built a real fun environment here where you just want to come in every day.”
Teammate Ryan Byrnes said the players were enjoying seeing more of Wanganeen-Milera’s personality shine through at Moorabbin, where he is consciously trying to speak up more in meetings after feedback from coaches.
“He’s come out of his shell as a person,” Byrnes said.
“He was quiet in his first year, and now he’s all over the shop, making gags and whatever else.
“Because he is a quieter guy, when he does say stuff it’s usually pretty funny, so it definitely gets the lads up.”
Wanganeen-Milera said he was well aware Saturday’s elimination final against GWS would be an atmosphere like none of the 40 games he had played so far.
With housemate Wood also gearing up for his first final after a longer wait than even Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps, Wanganeen-Milera said he would not be taking any of it for granted.
“I’m pretty excited, it’s the first final for a lot of other players as well … for Mase, it’s his 11th year and his first final as well, so we’re pretty keen and looking forward to getting stuck into it,” he said.
“I don’t know what it feels like yet, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve in my career, and to do it in my sophomore year is pretty special.
“We’re lucky enough to have players who have won premierships here – Hilly has three flags, Zaine Cordy has won one, so they’re people to look to.”
Dan Butler, the third of his premiership-winning teammates, said Wanganeen-Milera was a valuable source of knowledge for the group and had begun to contribute more at team meetings.
“His first year, he probably struggled a little bit being away from home. I think the club was great in supporting him, and we’ve got so many good young lads here who he’s got great friendships with,” Butler said.
“I think he’s got more comfortable over time, and as he has grown he’s got comfortable with the wider group as well.
“We see the way he plays, he’s a smart footballer, so his knowledge is pretty valuable.”
Butler thought opening up around the group had also helped Wanganeen-Milera play with more confidence on the field.
“He’s been encouraged to speak up more in meetings, which he has done, and he’s still pretty quiet but definitely more relaxed, more comfortable and you can see it on the field in the way he plays,” Butler said.
“He expresses himself, he takes it on with his kicking – it’s exciting for him and it’s exciting for the club.”
Wanganeen-Milera could not be happier with how the shift from the wing, where he spent most of his 17 games in 2022, had unfolded so far.
“I feel a lot more comfortable down there, and I’ve had the help of the older guys down there like Cordy and Wilkie … I’ve pretty much been shadowing Sincs at training, the way he goes about it, it’s helped me a lot,” he said.
“Our backs coach Corey Enright is a champion of the game, and he’s given me so much advice … he knows what he’s doing, his footy brain is first class.”
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ70qmmq6xflrOte8Cfo2aemaOurb%2BMrKtmo5mhsaJ5056YpqWRqbK0ecuorZ5llaKys7PEp5qeZZ%2Bbeq%2Bt0qKYoWWnlruorc2enKelmaGys62Op5ywq12owbC%2B2GhpnmuUZYR4hJFsaHJok5uxpa3BcHBvbpRlgnavj56Zaw%3D%3D