THE CLOCK is now running on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's future.
At Wednesday night's end to the trade period, St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes fielded questions about what might happen to Wanganeen-Milera in a year's time.
He and Max Hall are major re-signing priorities for the Saints. Hall finished third and Wanganeen-Milera was fourth this season in club best-and-fairest voting.
A year ago, Wanganeen-Milera rejected massive interest from his native South Australia to re-sign on a two-season, $4 million deal, making him the AFL's first $2 million player.
St Kilda said at the time - and Hayes repeated it on Wednesday night - that it was up to the club to convince players including Wanganeen-Milera and Hall they should stay at Moorabbin.
The Saints finished 11th this season and the pressure is building for a finals return under coach Ross Lyon.
A deal with Wanganeen-Milera was not struck until late in the 2025 season.
"We're really comfortable where those (current) discussions are," Hayes said. "We're not going to put a timeline on that and Max Hall is probably the other one.
"They're obviously going to be priorities for us.
"I'm really confident that both of those guys believe in the direction of our footy club."
Hayes was asked about the inevitable interest again from Port Adelaide and Adelaide in Wanganeen-Milera.
"Like any of our good players, there are going to be other clubs interested," Hayes said.
"Nas is one of the best players in the competition."
Port's pick swapping on Deadline Day was with a view to matching bids on draftees next year, but it could also put them in the frame to make a play for Wanganeen-Milera.
AFL.com.au's Cal Twomey says if the Saints star wants a trade to Port in 12 months, the Power are well placed to have the picks and the salary cap space to make it happen.
"Now they have the collateral that if he chooses them and he wants to go there next year, they can also make things work because they're loaded up on that front," he said. "And we know their salary cap space is there as well."
As it stands, Port has three first-round picks next year as well as a 2027 second-round pick.
