St Kilda midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has been fined $1500 by the AFL match review officer for making an obscene gesture to the crowd during the final minutes of the Saints' loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday. The fine is reduced to $1000 if he accepts an early guilty plea.
Career-best performance marred by incident
Wanganeen-Milera, 22, recorded a career-high 44 disposals and kicked a goal in a brilliant individual performance. However, as he left the field in the final minute, he was captured on camera making a gesture toward spectators. It remains unclear if any words were exchanged, but the gesture appeared to be directed at someone seated behind the team bench.
Consistent with previous sanctions
The $1500 fine aligns with penalties imposed on other players last year for similar acts. Bailey Smith, Harley Reid, Jack Ginnivan, and Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick all received fines for obscene gestures in 2024. The AFL match review officer deemed Wanganeen-Milera's action as conduct unbecoming, warranting the standard financial penalty.
Other Saints facing disciplinary action
Meanwhile, St Kilda youngster Alix Tauru will appear before the VFL tribunal after being charged with rough conduct for a bump on Footscray's Stirling Phipps-Parsons. The 19-year-old faces a suspension of at least three matches. This marks Tauru's fourth VFL sanction in the past 12 months, raising concerns about his discipline.
Injury concerns compound Saints' woes
The Saints are also dealing with several injuries following the loss. Key players Tom De Koning and Jack Sinclair both sustained injuries during the match. Sinclair is feared to have a serious calf injury that could sideline him for the remainder of the season. De Koning suffered a punctured lung and cracked ribs. Additionally, St Kilda is awaiting scan results on Rowan Marshall's shoulder, with his availability uncertain.
