AFL's $2 million man could be forced to take pay-cut as Hird floats huge theory

Yahoo

a day ago

James Hird insists St Kilda's massive new contract extension for Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and the club's big-money play for Carlton star Tom De Koning are not risks. Hird explained how a proposed change to ruck rules in 2026 could actually work in St Kilda's favour, amid suggestions from fellow AFL great Rory Sloane that Wanganeen-Milera would have to take a pay cut after the first two years of his bumper new deal.
The Saints and their fans have been celebrating this week's extension of Wanganeen-Milera, who's set to become the first AFL player to earn $2 million per season after agreeing a new two-year deal. The South Australian rejected huge offers from Port Adelaide and the Crows to commit his future to the Saints, with reports the Power offered him a 12-year deal worth up to $2.5m per season and $30 million all up.
But with Blues ace De Koning reportedly set to join the Saints next season on a deal worth $1.7 million a season, concerns have been raised about St Kilda committing around 20% of their salary cap on just two players. However, others say locking down one of the AFL's most exciting young talents will make St Kilda a destination club that rival stars will want to join.
Hird admits he was initially concerned about the financial impact of Wanganeen-Milera's deal for St Kilda, but now sees the effect it could have on the club's recruitment. "As you think about it, you go through what it means to supporters, but then also if they can attract another couple of players and build a list off the back of it, only time will tell (how good they become)," Hird said on Nine's Footy Classified. "The other clubs that were willing to spend the amount of money, they can (also) see the talent."
"Having lived through Tony Lockett going to Sydney, to see this happen was just wonderful for football." 👏👏Eddie and the panel chat Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera turning down rival interest, and sticking with the Saints.#9FootyClassified | Watch on Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/nh0vn8yKk6
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) August 19, 2025
The Essendon great also believes the big-money move for De Koning is a smart play by the Saints, considering changes proposed by the AFL around ruck rules in 2026. The league looks set to bring jumping back into the contest instead of wrestling at the ruck, and Hird says it could play into De Koning and St Kilda's hands perfectly.
"When you look at what's happened this week, about five on the bench which means you can play two ruckmen," he said. "You can play one on the bench, you can play one in the ruck, and then that new ruck rule, hopefully it gets brought in where players have to jump.
"TDK (Tom De Koning) goes from being a good ruckman to an incredible ruckman if you can then jump. So I think it's actually foresight from St Kilda to go and get him with the ruck rule and Nasiah doing that, I think they've actually read the room and played ahead of the game."
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Adelaide great Sloane also sees the merits in St Kilda's mega-money deal for Wanganeen-Milera, but believes the club will eventually reach a point where salary cap constraints will prevent them from attracting more stars. Sloane agrees the $2 million a year deal will be great for St Kilda's ability to recruit players over the next two years, but believes Wanganeen-Milera will be forced to take a pay cut after that if he wants to stay at the club.
"I think the two years is important because you can do that for two years, you can recruit, you can use it as a marketing ploy," he said. "But then after two years, that's where I think there's gotta be another negotiation with Nas and go, mate, if you're willing to stay and we're fighting for finals, you're going to have to take a bit of a cut and be part of the squad here."