3 months ago
22
Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane has urged the Crows to vigorously chase Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, declaring he is the final piece to the club’s premiership puzzle.
While the Crows will return to September this year for the first time since 2017, and are firmly in the hunt for the flag, dashing Saint Wanganeen-Milera would provide blue-chip speed and ball use that Matthew Nicks’ team would embrace as they step into what shapes to be a successful new era.
Man in demand: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera had another outstanding game for the Saints on Sunday.Credit: AFL Photos
As reported by this masthead, Wanganeen-Milera is weighing up a deal worth $1.4 million per season, most likely over two years, to remain with the Saints, while the Crows and Port Adelaide are attempting to lure him home. The Power and Crows have presented the 22-year-old with a range of short- and long-term offers.
Sloane, now a prominent media commentator, including with Nine’s Footy Classified, said Wanganeen-Milera was an ideal fit for the Crows.
“After what happened [against Melbourne], I will chip in to get Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera over here. That was unbelievable. That was the most exciting patch of footy I have ever seen,” Sloane said.
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“They are giving themselves every chance with the way things are falling. It would be enticing for him to want to go there.”
But he said there were list management decisions that also needed to be considered
“What is it going to cost you, and what does that look like for our squad in four years’ time, five years’ time? Will we still be able to keep the squad together? Will we have to move a couple on because you are paying one person a bit more than others? They are the discussions that they will have.”
Wanganeen-Milera was brilliant again on Sunday, with 36 touches, nine clearances and nine score involvements against North Melbourne.
Sloane said the Crows would likely have to dispense with a couple of first-round picks to snare Wanganeen-Milera. The Crows’ first-rounder this year could be pick 17 or 18, and even drop to 27.
“He is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for him in the end,” Sloane said.
Go after him: Former Crows captain Rory Sloane, now a prominent commentator with Nine, says his former club should pursue Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.Credit: Getty Images
Crows board director James Gallagher was Saints list manager when Wanganeen-Milera was drafted with the 10th pick of the 2021 national draft.
“He would be the final piece to the puzzle for the Crows. They all chip in, they don’t need 30s [possessions per game], they get the job done with 15 to 25 possessions. [But] a bit of dash, a bit of speed on the outside might be helpful as well,” Sloane said.
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“Absolutely, he would fit that side, and he would complement some of the big boys inside very well.”
The Glenelg product has strong links to the Power, where his uncle Gavin Wanganeen was a premiership player and club great, while he is great friends with Jason Horne-Francis and Jase Burgoyne.
The Power do not have a first-round selection this year, but could offer future first rounders in 2026 and 2027.
“He would be silly not to look at both clubs. He would be having those discussions,” Sloane said.
Wanganeen-Milera said on Sunday he had yet to make a final call.
“I was sorting that out with the club and my manager but just sort of going about my business playing footy at the moment. So that’ll come in due time,” Wanganeen-Milera told Fox Footy after the win over North Melbourne.
Wanganeen-Milera’s manager Ben Williams was contacted comment.
Sloane, who played 255 games for Adelaide before retiring last year, said the Crows needed to adopt the philosophy employed by Sydney and Geelong, who have regularly been able to sign a major trade target.
“Some of the young guys [with the Crows] are going to take a step again next year. I imagine they will be pretty active again at the trade period. They will certainly be looking to improve,” Sloane said.
“That’s what the best clubs do. Geelong and Sydney have done it for the last 20 years. They are the two best clubs for the last 20 years, for me. They are always improving and always have space in their salary cap to chase people that want to fit into that environment.”
Saints coach Ross Lyon said his team remained in the fight to retain Wanganeen-Milera.
“We’ve got a battle on our hands, but we’re up for the battle,” Lyon said.
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