Ross Lyon compares Wanganeen-Milera to Akermanis after standout performance

Jackson Clark Published April 16, 2025 at 1.00am (AWST)

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Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has elevated his game to another level in 2025. (Image: AFL)

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has likened silky-skilled utility Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to a Brownlow Medallist, following the 22-year-old's standout performance against Greater Western Sydney last weekend.

Wanganeen-Milera continued his blistering start to the 2025 season, collecting 24 disposals and booting a career-best three goals in the Saints' 28-point loss to the Giants at Norwood Oval on Sunday.

Speaking to the media post-match, Lyon said he expected Wanganeen-Milera to spend more time in the midfield as the season progresses.

"I thought Nas (Wanganeen-Milera) in the midfield really lit us up," Lyon said.

"So we'll keep moving him more and more into the midfield as he gets bigger and stronger and at the right time of the game."

Lyon, who spent a year with the Brisbane Bears as a player in 1995, compared Wanganeen-Milera's attributes to those of Brisbane great Jason Akermanis – particularly their pace and ability to hurt the opposition with ball in hand.

"I saw (Nigel) Lappin and (Jason) Akermanis develop when I was at Brisbane," Lyon said.

"He's very quick, he's very skillful, Aker could play anywhere – speed, skill, courage, all those things.

"Talk is cheap, but he's shown pretty good signs at a young age. But Rome wasn't built in a day."

Now in his fourth AFL season, Wanganeen-Milera is emerging as one of the competition's elite.

Wanganeen-Milera and his St Kilda teammates celebrate a win.

The Kokatha and Narangga man is averaging 27 disposals per game across the opening five rounds and is ranked fifth in the league for metres gained while among general defenders, he leads the competition for intercept possessions.

Under Champion Data's new 100X Ratings System — designed to compare players based on expected performance in their specific roles — Wanganeen-Milera is rated fifth across the entire AFL.

SEN analyst David King was also full of praise during his show Fireball on Monday morning.

"Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, my God!" King exclaimed.

"Just strap yourself in, they can't lose him.

"I'm in love with the way he plays, when he gets the ball the game changes, I know (Jack) Sinclair had 26 (disposals) but Nasiah's 24 were far more impactful.

"I think he came back onto the ground and was supposed to go in the middle, but they had too many in there, so he just went forward (and) thirty seconds later he kicked a goal.

"I think there is so much scope for his guy to be moved around and given different opportunities."

Wanganeen-Milera is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to attract plenty of interest from rival clubs.