St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has likened Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's AFL trajectory to that of Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod.
The Crows Norm Smith medallist began his career across half back as one of the competition's best runners and ball users. But as he developed, McLeod was able to add midfield and forward strings to his bow, which ultimately made him a nightmare to stop.
Lyon believes that Wanganeen-Milera is on a similar path, and after his career-high 43 disposals, he sees the course forward.
Defender
Marks
Disposals
Rebound50s
"They (Hawthorn) went to him to try and shut him down," Lyon said.
"He really worked for the team and helped free up people and helped us. He still got it. We injected him into the midfield and I thought he was electric."
The 22-year-old, who is currently weighing up a move to South Australia as both Adelaide and Port Adelaide extend lucrative deals to head home, was switched into the midfield in the final term, collecting 15 touches and three clearances.
Wanganeen-Milera also showed his forward craft earlier this year against GWS, kicking three goals after being swung inside 50.
"We did that early [in his career] and he wasn't quite conditioned for it, his groins got a little bit sore. But we know what we're building. Ultimately, Andrew McLeod used to play half-back, midfield, forward when he won his Norm Smith. Malcolm Blight moved him through the lines.
"We know he's got half-back, we know he's got midfield, and I think he can do a bit of forward stuff. We've got a long-term plan that he becomes great, rather than just a great half-back."
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell was fortunate that Wanganeen-Milera's performance didn't alter the outcome as the brown and gold held on to win by 20 points.
But Mitchell quipped that it won't stop giving him "nightmares".
"Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera โฆ I'm going to have nightmares about him," Mitchell said.
"We scouted him, we tried so many things, we just couldn't stop him. He's just too good.
"Wherever he is, even when he was on the bench, I was worried about him.
"Watching him before tonight, 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. Whether he was winning it contested or uncontested, he's just a star."
