The St Kilda dynamo will reportedly become the AFL's most well-paid player after signing a two-year extension to stay at Moorabbin, following keen interest from both Adelaide and Port Adelaide.
As late as Sunday, there was intensifying speculation that Adelaide were beginning to edge out crosstown rivals Port Adelaide for Wanganeen-Milera's signature, following weeks of discussion that the Glenelg graduate was set to follow in his father Gavin's footsteps by returning home to South Australia in the early stages of his career.
The 22-year-old has been a regular fixture of the St Kilda 18 for four seasons now, having debuted against Fremantle in Round 2 of 2022 and has made significant incremental improvement with every passing season.
2025 has been a breakout year for Wanganeen-Milera, who has become more of a focal point in St Kilda's transitional and attacking play despite generally starting at centre half-back.
His average of 30.2 disposals per game this year is the fourth-best in the league behind Brownlow Medal contenders Bailey Smith (31.5), Nick Daicos (30.5) and Noah Anderson (30.4), whilst his match-winning performance in the Saints' record comeback against Melbourne four weeks back illustrated just how instrumental he can be.
Little wonder then that many suitors came knocking and Adelaide were particularly confident they would be able to reel him back to his home state in 2026.
A return to South Australia may come one day, but as first reported by AFL journalist Cal Twomey on Monday afternoon, Wanganeen-Milera has agreed to a two-year deal worth just over $4m, which will make him the first player in the competition to be on a $2m salary.
