The importance of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to St Kilda might lie in re-signing for a hefty $4 million over two years, but for his young teammates during the clubs preseason the value lies squarely in leadership.

The 22-year-old, who is entering a fifth AFL season, is not obliged to attend the first three weeks of the club's training, unlike the more inexperienced first-to-fourth year players.

However Wanganeen-Milera has displayed a sense of responsibility to set a high standard in search of the club's second-ever AFL premiership.

The first siren of the 2026 AFL season cannot come fast enough for the Kokatha and Narungga man, who projected the Saints' momentum into the back half of their 2025 campaign.

St Kilda will take the field a week earlier than usual after the club lobbied the AFL to be included in the latest standalone opening round concept, which was only created ahead of the 2024 season.

"I'm really excited for opening round - obviously, it is the first time for the club and the first time it will be played in Melbourne," Wanganeen-Milera told an exclusive saints.com.au interview on Tuesday.

"It'll be great to be a part of it for the club and, obviously, it'll be a great atmosphere.

"I can't wait to get stuck into it."

The latest innovation, which precedes Round 1, has increased from four games outside Victoria to five fixtures, including a Sunday night MCG fixture.

Two Queensland and two New South Wales clubs have exclusively hosted opening round fixtures over the past two seasons, providing a marketing boost to non-traditional AFL states.

Wanganeen-Milera was asked about the possibility of going head-to-head against Collingwood onballer Nick Daicos during opening round, following his switch from the half-back flank into the centre square.

"I'm super excited to be a part of that," he said.

"I mean I can't wait - I don't think it gets much better than that.

"They're a strong club and I can't wait to play alongside them - they've got some superstars of the game like Nick, and it'll be great for us to test ourselves against a strong opposition.

"Just personally to line up in the midfield to show our new recruits, and to work alongside them, will hopefully set us up for a strong year."

Wanganeen-Milera was spotted this week offering guidance to his cousin, Tex Wanganeen, a former Essendon recruit who was delisted at the end of the 2024 season, at the first training session at Moorabbin on Monday.

The son of Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen was reportedly promised an opportunity to complete a preseason with his cousin, with the possibility of a list spot made available through the AFL pre-season supplemental selection period for undrafted players.

It has been long rumoured St Kilda enticed Wanganeen-Milera to remain at the club, and rebuff strong offers from Adelaide and Port Adelaide, should Wanganeen join the Saints.

Back on the training track this week, Wanganeen-Milera said he was impressed with the conditioning of his Saints teammates.

"A fair few boys have come back in great nick," he said.

"A few of them have put on some real size."

Wanganeen-Milera singled out Kolkata man Isaac Keeler as one of the most impressive builds after the second-generation Saint had said his brother in arms "put on a fair bit of size".

The previously lanky tall had been used to pinch hit in the ruck, but with former Carlton talisman Tom De Koning joining Rowan Marshall in the middle, Keeler's preferred role to float around half forward could ensure the South Augusta product could be a surprise packet amid a group of more fancied stars.

Wanganeen-Milera said he is looking to carry St Kilda's late-momentum from season 2025 into the new year.

The Saints captured four wins in succession until a narrow final-round loss, which initially began on the back of two last-minute goals from Wanganeen-Milera to pull off the greatest AFL last-quarter comeback in history after the Saints were 46 points down at the final break against Melbourne.

"I haven't played finals in a couple of years and I only the one final," Wanganeen-Milera said.

"So, I'm super motivated to get back to the big stage and get some success back at this club.

"We have a lot of fresh faces and I am sure they want nothing but to be successful for the club, and we can't wait to get stuck into our season."