Early life
He is the nephew of former Port Adelaide and Essendon legend Gavin Wanganeen, and the step son of former St Kilda player Terry Milera. [1] His biological father is former North Melbourne player Eddie Sansbury. [2]
In his draft year of 2021, Wanganeen-Milera played for grand finalists Glenelg in the SANFL, playing four games in the seniors and the remainder in the reserves. He averaged 15.8 disposals, 3.9 marks, 2.5 tackles and 2.4 inside 50s in 13 games for the reserves side. In his four senior games he averaged 11 disposals and three marks. [3] Wanganeen-Milera helped the Tigers reserves claim the Reserves premiership, kicking a goal and gathering 19 touches in the Grand Final win over Central Districts. [4] Wanganeen-Milera was also selected for the NAB AFL Academy team as well as the South Australian U18 team to compete at the National Championships. He was part of Port Adelaide's Indigenous Academy team.
AFL career
Wanganeen-Milera was selected with St Kilda's first pick in the 2021 AFL draft, at number 11 overall. [5] Wanganeen-Milera made his debut in round 1, 2022 against Collingwood, but did not take the field as an unused medical substitute. He made his on-field debut a week later against Fremantle, having 13 disposals.
Taken under the wing of St Kilda assistant coach Corey Enright, Wanganeen-Milera developed into a hard-working defender who would transition into the midfield. [6]
Wanganeen-Milera kicked the last two goals in St Kilda's famous come-from-behind victory against Melbourne in round 20, 2025. St Kilda had come back from a VFL/AFL record 46-point three-quarter time deficit to trail by only six points, before Wanganeen-Milera took a high mark and kicked the equalising goal with eight seconds remaining; then, Melbourne conceded a free kick at the ensuing centre bounce for a 6–6–6 infringement, and St Kilda quickly kicked forward to Wanganeen-Milera, who marked and kicked the winning goal after the siren. [7]
Out of contract and attracting interest and long-term offers from both clubs in his native South Australia, in August 2025 Wanganeen-Milera signed a two-year contract extension with St Kilda worth more than $2 million per year, setting a new record for the highest per-season wage of any player in VFL/AFL history. [8] Wanganeen-Milera capped off a hugely successful 2025 season on an individual level with his first All-Australian team selection. [9]
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