Latest news with #NormSmith
The Advertiser
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Lyon outlines long-term plan for Saints' star playmaker
Ross Lyon sees shades of Andrew McLeod in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as he plots to turn St Kilda's out-of-contract playmaker into one of the greats. Arguably the AFL's hottest property, Wanganeen-Milera showcased his immense talent in the Saints' 20-point defeat to Hawthorn on Saturday night. The 22-year-old tallied a career-best 43 disposals and had 1004 metres gained despite the efforts of a series of Hawks stoppers who went to him. The blistering display came amid reports St Kilda are growing in confidence the silky South Australian will stay at Moorabbin despite strong interest from his home state. Lyon refused to buy into that speculation, but was happy to divulge his plans for Wanganeen-Milera in the event he does sign a new deal with the Saints. "We know what we're building," Lyon said. "Andrew McLeod was used half-back, midfield, forward when he won his Norm Smith (medals). "(Adelaide coach Malcolm) Blight moved him through the lines, right? "We know he (Wanganeen-Milera) has got half-back, we know he's got mid, and I think he can do a bit of forward stuff. "So yeah, we've got a long-term plan that he becomes great, rather than just a great half-back. "But there will be moments and times over a period of time." St Kilda attempted to use Wanganeen-Milera through the midfield earlier in his 79-game career but found his body wasn't yet conditioned to the workload. His latest performance, which Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said gave him "nightmares", suggests more time away from his customary half-back role is imminent. Wanganeen-Milera's 43 touches included 15 in the final term when he was unleashed through the middle. "They went to him to try to shut him down but he really worked for the team and helped free up people and helped us, and he still got it," Lyon said. "Then we injected him in the midfield and I thought he was electric in the midfield in the last quarter." St Kilda have reportedly offered Wanganeen-Milera a deal worth at least $1.2 million a season, which includes options to stay for up to eight years. Asked if he was confident Wanganeen-Milera will stay, Lyon gave nothing away. "I dunno, I dunno," he said. "Noted though, noted." Mitchell, while pleased with Hawthorn's win, conceded he had no way of stopping Wanganeen-Milera at Marvel Stadium. "I knew he was a really good player, but we tagged him with three or four different players in three or four different positions and he was just too good," Mitchell said. "Whether he was winning it contested or uncontested, he's just a star." Ross Lyon sees shades of Andrew McLeod in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as he plots to turn St Kilda's out-of-contract playmaker into one of the greats. Arguably the AFL's hottest property, Wanganeen-Milera showcased his immense talent in the Saints' 20-point defeat to Hawthorn on Saturday night. The 22-year-old tallied a career-best 43 disposals and had 1004 metres gained despite the efforts of a series of Hawks stoppers who went to him. The blistering display came amid reports St Kilda are growing in confidence the silky South Australian will stay at Moorabbin despite strong interest from his home state. Lyon refused to buy into that speculation, but was happy to divulge his plans for Wanganeen-Milera in the event he does sign a new deal with the Saints. "We know what we're building," Lyon said. "Andrew McLeod was used half-back, midfield, forward when he won his Norm Smith (medals). "(Adelaide coach Malcolm) Blight moved him through the lines, right? "We know he (Wanganeen-Milera) has got half-back, we know he's got mid, and I think he can do a bit of forward stuff. "So yeah, we've got a long-term plan that he becomes great, rather than just a great half-back. "But there will be moments and times over a period of time." St Kilda attempted to use Wanganeen-Milera through the midfield earlier in his 79-game career but found his body wasn't yet conditioned to the workload. His latest performance, which Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said gave him "nightmares", suggests more time away from his customary half-back role is imminent. Wanganeen-Milera's 43 touches included 15 in the final term when he was unleashed through the middle. "They went to him to try to shut him down but he really worked for the team and helped free up people and helped us, and he still got it," Lyon said. "Then we injected him in the midfield and I thought he was electric in the midfield in the last quarter." St Kilda have reportedly offered Wanganeen-Milera a deal worth at least $1.2 million a season, which includes options to stay for up to eight years. Asked if he was confident Wanganeen-Milera will stay, Lyon gave nothing away. "I dunno, I dunno," he said. "Noted though, noted." Mitchell, while pleased with Hawthorn's win, conceded he had no way of stopping Wanganeen-Milera at Marvel Stadium. "I knew he was a really good player, but we tagged him with three or four different players in three or four different positions and he was just too good," Mitchell said. "Whether he was winning it contested or uncontested, he's just a star." Ross Lyon sees shades of Andrew McLeod in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as he plots to turn St Kilda's out-of-contract playmaker into one of the greats. Arguably the AFL's hottest property, Wanganeen-Milera showcased his immense talent in the Saints' 20-point defeat to Hawthorn on Saturday night. The 22-year-old tallied a career-best 43 disposals and had 1004 metres gained despite the efforts of a series of Hawks stoppers who went to him. The blistering display came amid reports St Kilda are growing in confidence the silky South Australian will stay at Moorabbin despite strong interest from his home state. Lyon refused to buy into that speculation, but was happy to divulge his plans for Wanganeen-Milera in the event he does sign a new deal with the Saints. "We know what we're building," Lyon said. "Andrew McLeod was used half-back, midfield, forward when he won his Norm Smith (medals). "(Adelaide coach Malcolm) Blight moved him through the lines, right? "We know he (Wanganeen-Milera) has got half-back, we know he's got mid, and I think he can do a bit of forward stuff. "So yeah, we've got a long-term plan that he becomes great, rather than just a great half-back. "But there will be moments and times over a period of time." St Kilda attempted to use Wanganeen-Milera through the midfield earlier in his 79-game career but found his body wasn't yet conditioned to the workload. His latest performance, which Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said gave him "nightmares", suggests more time away from his customary half-back role is imminent. Wanganeen-Milera's 43 touches included 15 in the final term when he was unleashed through the middle. "They went to him to try to shut him down but he really worked for the team and helped free up people and helped us, and he still got it," Lyon said. "Then we injected him in the midfield and I thought he was electric in the midfield in the last quarter." St Kilda have reportedly offered Wanganeen-Milera a deal worth at least $1.2 million a season, which includes options to stay for up to eight years. Asked if he was confident Wanganeen-Milera will stay, Lyon gave nothing away. "I dunno, I dunno," he said. "Noted though, noted." Mitchell, while pleased with Hawthorn's win, conceded he had no way of stopping Wanganeen-Milera at Marvel Stadium. "I knew he was a really good player, but we tagged him with three or four different players in three or four different positions and he was just too good," Mitchell said. "Whether he was winning it contested or uncontested, he's just a star."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lyon outlines long-term plan for Saints' star playmaker
Ross Lyon sees shades of Andrew McLeod in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as he plots to turn St Kilda's out-of-contract playmaker into one of the greats. Arguably the AFL's hottest property, Wanganeen-Milera showcased his immense talent in the Saints' 20-point defeat to Hawthorn on Saturday night. The 22-year-old tallied a career-best 43 disposals and had 1004 metres gained despite the efforts of a series of Hawks stoppers who went to him. The blistering display came amid reports St Kilda are growing in confidence the silky South Australian will stay at Moorabbin despite strong interest from his home state. Lyon refused to buy into that speculation, but was happy to divulge his plans for Wanganeen-Milera in the event he does sign a new deal with the Saints. "We know what we're building," Lyon said. A career-best performance from this star Saint 🤩Head to the AFL Live App for more weekly stats, presented by BWS.#AFLSaintsHawks — AFL (@AFL) July 5, 2025 "Andrew McLeod was used half-back, midfield, forward when he won his Norm Smith (medals). "(Adelaide coach Malcolm) Blight moved him through the lines, right? "We know he (Wanganeen-Milera) has got half-back, we know he's got mid, and I think he can do a bit of forward stuff. "So yeah, we've got a long-term plan that he becomes great, rather than just a great half-back. "But there will be moments and times over a period of time." St Kilda attempted to use Wanganeen-Milera through the midfield earlier in his 79-game career but found his body wasn't yet conditioned to the workload. His latest performance, which Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said gave him "nightmares", suggests more time away from his customary half-back role is imminent. Wanganeen-Milera's 43 touches included 15 in the final term when he was unleashed through the middle. "They went to him to try to shut him down but he really worked for the team and helped free up people and helped us, and he still got it," Lyon said. "Then we injected him in the midfield and I thought he was electric in the midfield in the last quarter." St Kilda have reportedly offered Wanganeen-Milera a deal worth at least $1.2 million a season, which includes options to stay for up to eight years. Asked if he was confident Wanganeen-Milera will stay, Lyon gave nothing away. "I dunno, I dunno," he said. "Noted though, noted." Mitchell, while pleased with Hawthorn's win, conceded he had no way of stopping Wanganeen-Milera at Marvel Stadium. "I knew he was a really good player, but we tagged him with three or four different players in three or four different positions and he was just too good," Mitchell said. "Whether he was winning it contested or uncontested, he's just a star."
Perth Now
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Lyon outlines long-term plan for Saints' star playmaker
Ross Lyon sees shades of Andrew McLeod in Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as he plots to turn St Kilda's out-of-contract playmaker into one of the greats. Arguably the AFL's hottest property, Wanganeen-Milera showcased his immense talent in the Saints' 20-point defeat to Hawthorn on Saturday night. The 22-year-old tallied a career-best 43 disposals and had 1004 metres gained despite the efforts of a series of Hawks stoppers who went to him. The blistering display came amid reports St Kilda are growing in confidence the silky South Australian will stay at Moorabbin despite strong interest from his home state. Lyon refused to buy into that speculation, but was happy to divulge his plans for Wanganeen-Milera in the event he does sign a new deal with the Saints. "We know what we're building," Lyon said. "Andrew McLeod was used half-back, midfield, forward when he won his Norm Smith (medals). "(Adelaide coach Malcolm) Blight moved him through the lines, right? "We know he (Wanganeen-Milera) has got half-back, we know he's got mid, and I think he can do a bit of forward stuff. "So yeah, we've got a long-term plan that he becomes great, rather than just a great half-back. "But there will be moments and times over a period of time." St Kilda attempted to use Wanganeen-Milera through the midfield earlier in his 79-game career but found his body wasn't yet conditioned to the workload. His latest performance, which Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said gave him "nightmares", suggests more time away from his customary half-back role is imminent. Wanganeen-Milera's 43 touches included 15 in the final term when he was unleashed through the middle. "They went to him to try to shut him down but he really worked for the team and helped free up people and helped us, and he still got it," Lyon said. "Then we injected him in the midfield and I thought he was electric in the midfield in the last quarter." St Kilda have reportedly offered Wanganeen-Milera a deal worth at least $1.2 million a season, which includes options to stay for up to eight years. Asked if he was confident Wanganeen-Milera will stay, Lyon gave nothing away. "I dunno, I dunno," he said. "Noted though, noted." Mitchell, while pleased with Hawthorn's win, conceded he had no way of stopping Wanganeen-Milera at Marvel Stadium. "I knew he was a really good player, but we tagged him with three or four different players in three or four different positions and he was just too good," Mitchell said. "Whether he was winning it contested or uncontested, he's just a star."
West Australian
18-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Luke Hodge spends night in emergency room after suffering forehead cut playing social basketball
Luke Hodge has spent a night in the emergency room of a hospital after copping a stray elbow to the head playing social basketball . The newly inducted Australian football Hall of Fame member appeared on the panel of The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night with a noticeable cut with stitches on his forehead that had to be addressed straight away. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Luke Hodge sporting gash on head after basketball incident. Kane Cornes introduced co-hosts Caroline Wilson and Dale Thomas first before getting to the man sitting next to him, who had a story to tell. '...and Luke Hodge, the dual Norm Smith medallist, Hawthorn champion, and a man with a fresh gash on his forehead — what has happened, Luke?' Cornes said to start the show. A slightly sheepish Hodge, who was famous for his combative and fearless playing style on the field as an AFL player, was happy to have a laugh at how he found himself back in a medical room. 'Ah, it's old-man basketball, Kane,' Hodge said. 'I went up for a layup, and you can sort of see it there, it's a little bit of a gash. 'I got a nice little elbow right in the forehead and spent the night in emergency.' Stream The Agenda Setters for free, live or on-demand, anytime at 7plus It comes just months after the retired footy star injured his hamstring, also from playing basketball, despite trying to train for a marathon. 'Daisy, have we not had this conversation about him?' Cornes jovially taunted. Thomas replied: 'We have; he did a hamstring with similar results, and now the (gash).' Hodge laughed it off, saying he's 'just passionate'. 'I think we need to hold an intervention after the show tonight,' Cornes added, before Wilson chimed in. 'I think the intervention might be closer to home,' she laughed. Hodge confirmed he was given a reality check by family when he got home. 'Yeah, the first thing (said at home) was, 'Do you reckon you should give up on sport?'' he said. Hodge posted footage of the moment he tore his hamstring reaching for a ball in April, after which he pledged himself to pilates in an attempt to bullet-proof himself for the marathon. 'After hurting my hamstring in old-man basketball, I've realised I have to dedicate more time to my preparation and recovery for my upcoming marathon,' he said. 'Let's hope the old body holds up through the training.'
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Luke Hodge spends night in emergency with gruesome head injury
Luke Hodge has spent a night in the emergency room of a hospital after copping a stray elbow to the head playing social basketball. The newly inducted Australian football Hall of Fame member appeared on the panel of The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night with a noticeable cut with stitches on his forehead that had to be addressed straight away. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Luke Hodge sporting gash on head after basketball incident. Kane Cornes introduced co-hosts Caroline Wilson and Dale Thomas first before getting to the man sitting next to him, who had a story to tell. '...and Luke Hodge, the dual Norm Smith medallist, Hawthorn champion, and a man with a fresh gash on his forehead — what has happened, Luke?' Cornes said to start the show. A slightly sheepish Hodge, who was famous for his combative and fearless playing style on the field as an AFL player, was happy to have a laugh at how he found himself back in a medical room. 'Ah, it's old-man basketball, Kane,' Hodge said. 'I went up for a layup, and you can sort of see it there, it's a little bit of a gash. 'I got a nice little elbow right in the forehead and spent the night in emergency.' Stream The Agenda Setters for free, live or on-demand, anytime at 7plus Luke Hodge sporting a gash on his head. Credit: The Agenda Setters It comes just months after the retired footy star injured his hamstring, also from playing basketball, despite trying to train for a marathon. 'Daisy, have we not had this conversation about him?' Cornes jovially taunted. Thomas replied: 'We have; he did a hamstring with similar results, and now the (gash).' Hodge laughed it off, saying he's 'just passionate'. 'I think we need to hold an intervention after the show tonight,' Cornes added, before Wilson chimed in. 'I think the intervention might be closer to home,' she laughed. Hodge confirmed he was given a reality check by family when he got home. 'Yeah, the first thing (said at home) was, 'Do you reckon you should give up on sport?'' he said. Hodge posted footage of the moment he tore his hamstring reaching for a ball in April, after which he pledged himself to pilates in an attempt to bullet-proof himself for the marathon. 'After hurting my hamstring in old-man basketball, I've realised I have to dedicate more time to my preparation and recovery for my upcoming marathon,' he said. 'Let's hope the old body holds up through the training.'
