How unheralded Pie stopped star Saint

It is not an easy task to stop St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, but on Sunday, Collingwood team-first player Harry Perryman pulled out the clamps.

Wanganeen-Milera became the competition's first $2 million man late last year, and stormed into A-grade conversations after a breakout season.

Understandably, the attention was on the new face of the Saints.

But Perryman, the ultimate team man, had other ideas, keeping the smooth-moving Nas to 19 possessions, including two kick-ins, and a goal.

It was his lowest count since Round 6, 2024.

"Mate, I don't care about all the stats and that ... he was best on ground for us (on Sunday night)," Nick Daicos told Fox Footy following the 12-point win.

"I don't know how many touches he had, but he continuously does a role for the team."

Perryman himself had 22 touches, three tackles and two clearances.

"He's such a good player and such a good lad to have around the team," Daicos said.

"It sort of got discussed during the week if anyone wants to play on Nas. ‘Pez' was the first to put his hand up, he just loves it.

"He wanted to go with him everywhere and he did it great tonight."

Pies coach Craig McRae revealed it was Perryman who wanted the task.

"I went to ‘Pez' on Wednesday and the leadership group really pushed it, I am not taking ownership of that," McRae said.

"The leaders really pushed it, to set a bit of a target and go after him. I went to ‘Pez' and I won't share exactly what he said but he was pretty excited about doing the job."

Perryman forced Wanganeen-Milera to all positions on the ground, splitting a fair chunk of his possessions in the back half of the ground.

Nas can expect more attention in the weeks to come, as rivals start to put serious time into the young phenom. 

As for Collingwood, they have proved the critics wrong, and a team-first performance from the former Giant has given an early indication of where the old Pies are heading.