The St Kilda Saints are reportedly remaining committed to signing former Bombers youngster and cousin of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Tex Wanganeen, for the 2026 season after a report from 9 News' Tom Morris emerged in early August that the soon to be 22-year-old was on their radar as a potential post-season "train on player".
Morris reported on Monday that the Saints haven't "wavered on its commitment to have [Wanganeen] train with the club in the pre-season" and believed they will "almost certainly" sign the forward for 2026.
St Kilda's show of faith to Wanganeen comes despite the youngster facing a stint on the sidelines, with Morris reporting Wanganeen will undergo two shoulder operations in the coming weeks.
Wanganeen's proposed place at the club may have been the sweetener on the deal for Wanganeen-Milera, who recently recommitted to the Moorabbin-based outfit until 2027 on a record-breaking $2 million per season contract.
"It's the brainchild of (list bosses) Stephen Silvagni and Gubby Allen," Morris said in August.
"Tex Wanganeen, he can play in his own right, and the Saints have liked him since his draft year.
"He's got talent, yes, but the bonus is he has a superstar cousin who St Kilda desperately hopes to re-sign, and they hope it'll be that lever that leads to his signature in the next few weeks."
Even though Tex Wanganeen has had foot issues, is about to have one shoulder operation then the other shoulder operated on six weeks later... St Kilda hasn't wavered on its commitment to have him train with the club in the pre-season, and then almost certainly sign him.… https://t.co/7Bmdn27IX6
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) September 8, 2025
Wanganeen played state level football for Port Melbourne in the VFL in 2025 before he asked to be transferred to St Kilda's VFL affiliate, the Sandringham Zebras, in July, but the move ultimately fell through.
In eight VFL matches this season, Wanganeen averaged 12.4 disposals per game, with his best game coming against Geelong, collecting 18 disposals and laying four tackles.
