AFL 2025: St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wants ‘stronger language’ around attacks on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has launched a strong defence of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, saying the attacks were “more than racism”.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has called out the “disgusting” attacks on star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, declaring the messages he received were “more than racism”.

Wanganeen-Milera and Port Adelaide wingman Jase Burgoyne are considering legal action after they were both targeted online following their respective matches last weekend.

Lyon launched to his player’s defence on Friday morning, calling for more pointed language when describing the nature of the incident.

“Is that what you call it? Can you be stronger with it? It was hate. It was vehement. It was disgusting,” he said.

“We don’t stand for it as a club, the AFL doesn’t and the community shouldn’t.

“It’s more than racism, it’s hate. You know what? The standards you walk past are the standards you accept.

“We’ll call it out, we’ll move on and play our footy – even that – ‘racial’, it’s a bit more than that, it’s a bit more than that.”

Ross Lyon says the attacks on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera are ‘more than racism’. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Wanganeen-Milera has played a career-best season, shrugging off attention around his future as well as an on-field tag.

Lyon said Wanganeen-Milera was in a good space despite the incident but doubled down on how it should be treated.

“Nothing fazes ‘Naz’, it’s got nothing to do with ‘Naz’,” he said.

“‘Naz’ is a great person, becoming a great player, if anything, the power is in how you respond.

“He’s got nothing to shy away from, deep down, would it be really hurtful and uncomfortable? Yeah, but guess what? That’s out there.

“I think if we, you guys (the media, need to) use strong language. Racism? It was hate, it was vehement, it was disgusting, we don’t stand for it and want to stamp it out.”

St Kilda travels down the highway to take on Geelong this weekend in reliable defender Callum Wilkie’s 150th game.

Originally published as AFL 2025: St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wants ‘stronger language’ around attacks on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera