Wanganeen-Milera was brilliant again on Sunday, with 36 touches, nine clearances and nine score involvements against North Melbourne.
Sloane said the Crows would likely have to dispense with a couple of first-round picks to snare Wanganeen-Milera. The Crows’ first-rounder this year could be pick 17 or 18, and even drop to 27.
“He is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for him in the end,” Sloane said.
Go after him: Former Crows captain Rory Sloane, now a prominent commentator with Nine, says his former club should pursue Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.Credit: Getty Images
Crows board director James Gallagher was Saints list manager when Wanganeen-Milera was drafted with the 10th pick of the 2021 national draft.
“He would be the final piece to the puzzle for the Crows. They all chip in, they don’t need 30s [possessions per game], they get the job done with 15 to 25 possessions. [But] a bit of dash, a bit of speed on the outside might be helpful as well,” Sloane said.
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“Absolutely, he would fit that side, and he would complement some of the big boys inside very well.”
The Glenelg product has strong links to the Power, where his uncle Gavin Wanganeen was a premiership player and club great, while he is great friends with Jason Horne-Francis and Jase Burgoyne.
The Power do not have a first-round selection this year, but could offer future first rounders in 2026 and 2027.
“He would be silly not to look at both clubs. He would be having those discussions,” Sloane said.
Wanganeen-Milera said on Sunday he had yet to make a final call.
“I was sorting that out with the club and my manager but just sort of going about my business playing footy at the moment. So that’ll come in due time,” Wanganeen-Milera told Fox Footy after the win over North Melbourne.
Wanganeen-Milera’s manager Ben Williams was contacted comment.
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Sloane, who played 255 games for Adelaide before retiring last year, said the Crows needed to adopt the philosophy employed by Sydney and Geelong, who have regularly been able to sign a major trade target.
“Some of the young guys [with the Crows] are going to take a step again next year. I imagine they will be pretty active again at the trade period. They will certainly be looking to improve,” Sloane said.
“That’s what the best clubs do. Geelong and Sydney have done it for the last 20 years. They are the two best clubs for the last 20 years, for me. They are always improving and always have space in their salary cap to chase people that want to fit into that environment.”
Saints coach Ross Lyon said his team remained in the fight to retain Wanganeen-Milera.
