WITH the 2021 AFL Draft done and dusted, Rookie Me Central takes a look through each clubs’ hauls to assess the areas they bolstered and what each fresh face promises to bring to their new side. Next under the microscope is St Kilda, which added class with its first pick and key position depth with its last, as well as four Next Generation Academy (NGA) graduates.

National Draft selections:

#11 Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Glenelg/South Australia)
#33 Mitch Owens (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
#47 Marcus Windhager (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
#51 Oscar Adams (Glenelg/South Australia)

Category B Rookie selections:

Josiah Kyle (Dandenong Stingrays)
Jack Peris (Sandringham Dragons)

There was a familiar feel to St Kilda’s 2021 AFL Draft crop, with famous names and a whopping four NGA products among those to make up an exciting six-man haul. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, the step-son of former Saint Terry, headlined his new side’s selections, snapped up with pick 11.

The Saints are in need of some midfield class and on the outside, Wanganeen-Milera certainly provides that. A flying wingman out of Glenelg, he stood up in big games – including at senior at state level – and showcased an uncanny ability to pull off low percentage passes by foot, even in the tightest of spots.

Next came the NGA bids on night two, as Sandringham Dragons pair Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager survived past the all-important pick 20 mark. Owens ended up at pick 33 after courting apparent first round interest, adding size and two-way running ability on each line. Windhager, an explosive mid-forward, came in at pick 47 and is another highly developable type. Both players improved immensely over the last year.

Rounding out the Saints’ National Draft effort was Oscar Adams, a raw tall out of South Australia. Packaged with Glenelg teammate Wanganeen-Milera, he attacks the ball with ferocity in the air and adds key position depth to not only the defence, but also as a ruck or forward rotation.

St Kilda remained busy despite not making any selections in the Rookie Draft, instead listing two more NGA’s as Category B rookies after the fact. Josiah Kyle was the first, an exciting small forward with good pace and goal sense who just needs to iron out his consistency and endurance going forward.

Jack Peris, the son of Olympic champion Nova, was the other. A native of the Northern Territory, Peris was a Nightcliff junior who grew up alongside some famous footballing families – including the Longs. He boarded at Melbourne Grammar and turned out for Sandringham in the NAB League this season, showing his wares as a very light, but pacy wingman/small forward who provides smothering tackling pressure.