There aren’t many 22-year-old AFL players who can command a contract that makes headlines across the country, but Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera isn’t your typical young midfielder. With a surname that ties him to Brownlow Medal winner Gavin Wanganeen and a career that’s already seen a record-breaking deal, the St Kilda star has become one of the most talked-about figures in the league.

Date of birth: 6 May 2004 (Wikipedia) · Height: 187 cm · Position: Midfielder · Club: St Kilda · Nationality: Australian

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Nephew of AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen (Wikipedia)
  • Born 6 May 2004 (Wikipedia)
  • Plays as a midfielder for St Kilda (Wikipedia)
  • Height 187 cm (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact identity of his father and mother
  • Whether he has Indian heritage (no verified sources)
  • Exact salary and contract details (not publicly disclosed)
  • Weight (not publicly listed)
3Timeline signal
  • Drafted pick 11 in 2021 (Wikipedia)
  • Re-signed August 2025 on a two-year extension (ESPN)
  • Became AFL’s first reported $2 million-a-season player (SBS NITV)
4What’s next
  • Contract runs through 2027 (SBS NITV)
  • Expected to feature in St Kilda’s finals push under Ross Lyon (ESPN)
  • Potential All-Australian selection if form continues (SBS NITV)

The stats line above shows the core identifiers, but the contract value is the real headline.

Key facts about Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Attribute Value
Date of birth 6 May 2004
Height 187 cm
Position Midfielder
Club St Kilda
Nationality Australian
Draft pick 11 (2021 AFL draft)
Jersey number 7

Is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera related to Gavin?

Who is Gavin Wanganeen?

  • Gavin Wanganeen is a Brownlow Medal winner and AFL Hall of Fame inductee who played for Essendon and Port Adelaide (Wikipedia).
  • He is an Aboriginal Australian of the Kokatha and Narangga peoples (Wikipedia).

Who are Nasiah’s parents?

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is the nephew of Gavin Wanganeen, according to Wikipedia (Wikipedia). His father and mother have not been publicly identified in any available credible sources. The connection is through his surname “Wanganeen,” which is a prominent South Australian Aboriginal family name.

Is his father also a footballer?

There is no verified information suggesting that Nasiah’s father played AFL football. The family link is through his uncle, Gavin Wanganeen, who is a legendary figure in the sport.

Bottom line: The family tie is confirmed and carries weight, but the parents’ identities remain unknown — a gap that fuels ongoing fan curiosity.

Is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Indian?

What is his nationality?

He is Australian, born in Australia (Wikipedia). SBS NITV identifies him as a Kokatha and Narangga man – Aboriginal Australian (SBS NITV).

Does he have Indian heritage?

No verified source indicates Indian heritage. The “Milera” part of his surname is also of Aboriginal origin, common among the Narangga people of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.

What to watch

The confusion likely stems from the “Milera” surname sounding similar to Indian names, but it is a South Australian Aboriginal family name with no known connection to the Indian subcontinent — a classic case of phonetic coincidence.

Why is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera paid so much?

What is his current salary?

Multiple outlets report that Wanganeen-Milera re-signed with St Kilda in August 2025 on a deal that makes him the AFL’s first $2 million per season player (ESPN; SBS NITV). The contract runs through 2027, making it a two-year extension (SBS NITV).

What is his contract length?

He signed through to the end of 2027, which will be his sixth season (SBS NITV).

How does his performance justify his pay?

Wanganeen-Milera produced a career-high 46-disposal game against Essendon in July 2025, which reportedly triggered St Kilda’s formal offer (Sport Nation). He also drew rival offers from Adelaide (around $1.5–$1.7 million per season) and Port Adelaide (up to $2.5 million per season over 12 years) (SEN).

The trade-off

St Kilda chose to keep their star rather than lose him to a rival, but the $2 million price tag sets a new benchmark for young midfielders — the club is betting his best years are ahead.

What position does Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera play?

What are his key stats?

He plays as a midfielder for St Kilda, often used on the wing or as an inside midfielder (Wikipedia). His 46-disposal game in 2025 highlighted his endurance and ball-winning ability.

What is his height and weight?

His height is 187 cm. His weight is not publicly listed in any available sources (Wikipedia).

Has Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera had any injuries?

What injuries has he had?

No major injuries have been reported in any of the available sources. He has been consistently available for selection since his debut in 2022.

How have injuries affected his career?

Without any significant injury history, Wanganeen-Milera has been able to build consistency and accumulate games, which contributed to his high market value.

Bottom line: The young midfielder has not suffered any notable injuries, allowing him to develop uninterrupted and command a record contract — a clean health slate that gave St Kilda confidence to invest.

“He’s a special talent, and he’s only going to get better.”

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, after Wanganeen-Milera’s 46-disposal game against Essendon (ESPN)

Wanganeen-Milera is a Kokatha and Narangga man, making him one of the highest-paid Indigenous AFL players in history.

SBS NITV report (SBS NITV)

Confirmed facts

  • Born 6 May 2004
  • Nephew of Gavin Wanganeen
  • Height 187 cm
  • Plays for St Kilda as a midfielder
  • Drafted pick 11 in 2021
  • Re-signed August 2025 through 2027
  • Reported $2 million per season

What’s unclear

  • Exact identity of parents
  • Indian heritage (no evidence)
  • Exact salary and contract details
  • Weight
  • Exact relationship to Gavin Wanganeen (assumed nephew but not officially confirmed)

The implication: Wanganeen-Milera’s $2 million contract is a bet on potential, not just performance. If he continues to develop, St Kilda’s investment will look shrewd. If he plateaus, the salary cap pressure will be intense.

For a deeper look at his family background and injury history, the Southern Line article provides additional context on his rise through the ranks.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the mother of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera?

Her identity has not been publicly disclosed in any available sources.

What is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s weight?

His weight is not publicly listed in any credible source.

How old is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera?

He was born on 6 May 2004, making him 21 years old as of 2025.

When did Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera make his AFL debut?

He debuted in 2022 after being drafted pick 11 in the 2021 AFL draft.

What jersey number does Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera wear?

He wears number 7 for St Kilda.

What draft pick was Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera?

He was selected with pick 11 in the 2021 AFL National Draft.