By Marc McGowan and Peter Ryan
Credit: Artists
St Kilda’s massive offer to lure Carlton ruckman Tom De Koning to Moorabbin will force the Saints to pay through the nose to retain star midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as he weighs up whether to accept a lucrative short-term deal at the Saints or head back to South Australia to play with Port Adelaide or Adelaide.
The 22-year-old’s brilliant season and knowledge of offers the Saints have made to prospective star recruits at other clubs, in particular De Koning, has put Wanganeen-Milera in a strong negotiating position. It’s expected De Koning will accept the $1.7 million a year St Kilda have offered him to join them in 2026.
Wanganeen-Milera has shown his class in 2025.Credit: Getty Images
The Saints have significantly upped their offer to Wanganeen-Milera since the start of the season to $1.4 million per season, according to two competition sources. His eye-catching form has resulted in a move from their original position and has him poised as a near-certainty to win the club best and fairest award.
The club’s priority has become to retain the classy ball-carrier, who is a key part of the next generation of talented players at the Saints alongside Darcy Wilson, Mattaes Phillipou, Alix Tauru, Mitch Owens, Tobie Travaglia, the injured Max King and uncontracted pair Marcus Windhager and Max Hall.
The interested clubs are patiently waiting for him to decide where his future lies, with all parties accepting he will command more than $1 million per season wherever he plays.
The Saints have their hearts - and a substantial portion of their salary cap - set on recruiting Tom De-Koning.Credit: Getty Images
St Kilda have significant space in their salary cap, and both South Australian clubs have capacity to accommodate a salary of that nature if he decides to move.
The greatest challenge if Wanganeen-Milera does decide to depart will be devising a trade that satisfies the Saints, who may be disinclined to accept future draft picks given his ability to fast-track their rebuild if he stays or, if he leaves, catapult a rival up the ladder.
Port Adelaide doesn’t have a first round selection this season, however they will have the capacity to trade selections two years in advance, and club recruiters are already excited about the 2027 national draft after watching the AFL Under-16 National Championships last week. Adelaide’s first pick at this year’s draft would be No.16 based on the current ladder order. They look likely to be in premiership contention for several seasons, particularly if they can land Wanganeen-Milera.
Wanganeen-Milera was an outstanding selection at pick 11 in the 2021 national draft, recruited ahead of Port Adelaide’s Josh Sinn at pick 12, Essendon’s Ben Hobbs at 13 and West Coast’s Campbell Chesser at 14.
Saints coach Ross Lyon did not want to be drawn into a discussion about Wanganeen-Milera’s future after his outstanding performance against Geelong on Sunday, simply saying all would be known in the “fullness of time”.
St Kilda also remain in negotiations to secure out-of-contract midfielder Windhager, who has played every match this season. He has shown his ability as a run-with player who can win his own ball and has attracted some interest from other clubs, who are monitoring the situation in case an agreement isn’t reached. They are also optimistic about landing Giants’ defender Leek Aleer.
No movement on Blue
There is still no progress on a new deal for Carlton goal sneak Jesse Motlop, whose two-year contract expires at season’s end.
Jesse Motlop has played well in patches, but his work rate has been questioned. Credit: Getty Images
The Blues have cast the net wide across the years in their ongoing search for competent small forwards. Lachie Fogarty, Corey Durdin, Francis Evans, Orazio Fantasia, Will White and mid-season draftee Flynn Young are also on this year’s list, while they traded Matt Owies to West Coast last year.
Zac Williams, who is Carlton’s second-leading goalscorer this year – behind Charlie Curnow – with 18, played more as a midfielder across the past month.
Motlop appears to have the most upside of Carlton’s small forward brigade, but is yet to realise his potential.
The 21-year-old from South Fremantle has kicked only 13 goals in 18 games – well off his career-high 24 from in 2023 – but has effectively doubled his tackle rate to almost four per match.
The Blues seem set to lose ruckman Tom De Koning to St Kilda’s gargantuan contract offer, while Collingwood are sniffing around Jack Silvagni, who has been a revelation since switching to defence.
Among their other out-of-contract players are injured swingman Brodie Kemp, this week’s Rising Star nominee Ashton Moir – who is nearing a new deal – and versatile stopper Alex Cincotta.
Future unclear
Former Hawthorn defender Ryan Burton is out of contract at Port Adelaide and may need to find a third AFL club to extend his career.
The talented Ryan Burton faces an uncertain future.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The 162-game veteran, the No.19 pick in 2015, missed time early in the season with a hip flexor strain and is now recovering from a knee problem that cropped up in the SANFL after he was dropped ahead of round 16.
Burton, who turns 29 in January, underwent a knee arthroscopy and has begun his rehabilitation program, but may not play again in 2025. He averaged 21.4 disposals in his past five AFL appearances this year.
Cooper Harvey has taken his opportunity since returning to North Melbourne’s senior line-up.Credit: for Getty Images
The Power are preparing to enter a new era under Josh Carr, who will replace Ken Hinkley as coach for next season. It is unclear where Burton fits into Carr’s plans, even with recently re-signed Miles Bergman switching from defence into a midfield role.
Port’s tall defenders include Aliir Aliir, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea, while Burton is probably competing with fellow medium-sized backmen Lachie Jones, Josh Sinn and Logan Evans.
Father-son making strong case
North Melbourne have a long list of high-profile early draft picks, but an unsigned father-son selection with a high-profile name has proved he could play a strong role in the club’s rebuild with a patch of excellent football in the past three rounds.
Cooper Harvey, the son of games record-holder Brent, had not played since 2023 until he got an opportunity in round 17 against the Western Bulldogs.
The 21-year-old has kicked seven goals in three games and shown an ability to play various roles after being added to the list with pick 56 in the 2022 national draft. Harvey is yet to taste victory in his six matches as a Roo.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.