St Kilda gun Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's last quarter raised eyebrows across the MCG on Sunday against Melbourne, but not for the reason most have become accustomed to.
Wanganeen-Milera, under a strong tag from Demon Koltyn Tholstrup, was given the "licence to go anywhere", which included spending a large chunk of the final term inside forward 50.
A move away from the midfield was compounded by a six-minute breather on the pine, before coming on for the final six minutes of the clash.
Wanganeen-Milera spent 39 per cent in centre bounces.
"It's really simple, he had a licence to go anywhere," Saints coach Ross Lyon said following the loss.
"He was getting tagged… I said 'mate, you can go and take the kick in, you can go behind the ball, you can go to the stoppage'. Sometimes you've got to let them drive the car.
"We're not a proven top-four team or finalist, and with a lot of experience to just edge him on a little bit better than we are. But I thought he fought.
It is the second consecutive week that rival clubs have put extra time into curbing Wanganeen-Milera.
Last week, Collingwood's Harry Perryman ended a 39-game streak of collecting 20 or more disposals. Tholstrup limited the star Saint to 18 touches.
"It's part of the business, right. It's the most uncompromising business in Australia," Lyon added.
"I wouldn't have thought he walked off destroyed. He'll continue to work through it.. he's a very young player."
