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They are also poised to win Giants defender Leek Aleer’s signature on a long-term offer of about $700,000 per season, which is viewed as well above market rate, but will have to broker a trade with GWS.
Between Wanganeen-Milera and De Koning, Saints list boss Stephen Silvagni – a 312-game premiership-winning legend at the Blues – may have aggressively reset the market for what a top-tier AFL footballer is worth.
But coupled with their Aleer offer, the suspicion across the competition from people this masthead spoke to was that these deals were more indicative of what St Kilda, as opposed to a Geelong or Collingwood, must do to retain and attract high-level talent.
The Saints have made it clear to player agents that they spent below the salary cap limit in recent seasons and were preparing to use those savings in the future.
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat discussed the strategy with this masthead in March.
“I think we will probably end up paying 95 per cent [this season], rather than 105 per cent, or 100 per cent. Then, you can carry that over,” Bassat said.
“You end up needing to pay 95 per cent, so everyone pays that minimum. But you do that by pre-paying some players [front-ended contracts], if that makes sense. That gives you some room in later years.”
The AFL and AFL Players Association’s landmark five-year collective bargaining agreement paved the way for Wanganeen-Milera’s extraordinary payday, with the salary cap swelling by 37 per cent and average player wages soaring to $519,000 by 2027.
The Blues still have a game to go this season, but the industry’s strong assumption is the Saints’ offer is too good for De Koning to reject, given he would be giving up more than half a million dollars a year to stay.
Tom De Koning of the Blues with fans after the win over Port Adelaide at the weekend.Credit: AFL Photos
Carlton will receive a first-round compensation pick if the 26-year-old chooses to leave, while there is also the highly unlikely possibility of Carlton matching the offer, as per restricted free agency rules.
Only the Giants have done that previously, when they matched Geelong’s offer for Jeremy Cameron in 2020 before trading him for a huge package based on three first-round picks.
More interesting is what this all means for incumbent ruckman Rowan Marshall, whose five-year deal does not expire until the end of the 2027 season.
The Cats are among the clubs that inquired about Marshall in the past, and he would be an ideal addition to Chris Scott’s side if he opts to request a trade. Veteran Geelong big man Rhys Stanley is out of contract, while Toby Conway has struggled with injuries and is still developing.
Marshall is on roughly half of what De Koning is being offered, but the latter will be four years younger at the start of next season and better fits the Saints’ list demographics.
That situation is one to monitor because St Kilda are unlikely to find a suitor for contracted captain and dual club champion Jack Steele, who turns 30 in December and has so far indicated he wants to remain a Saint.
This masthead revealed last week that Melbourne, North Melbourne and Essendon were keen on midfielder Marcus Windhager, who is yet to sign beyond this season.
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However, Windhager’s preference is to stay with St Kilda, as long as they stump up an improved financial offer. He and housemate Wanganeen-Milera have developed a strong friendship, which could be another factor.
The Saints have invested in the draft and been rewarded with a talented group on the rise, even beyond marquee star Wanganeen-Milera.
There is reason for optimism about all of Mattaes Phillipou, Mitch Owens, Darcy Wilson, Tobie Travaglia, Alix Tauru, Anthony Caminiti, Max Hall, Hugh Boxshall, Lance Collard and more. Plus, 25-year-old spearhead Max King is due back in 2026 after an injury-ruined campaign.
Only Silvagni and a few in-the-know others at St Kilda know their exact salary cap situation, but they just made their first splash.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
They are also poised to win Giants defender Leek Aleer’s signature on a long-term offer of about $700,000 per season, which is viewed as well above market rate, but will have to broker a trade with GWS.
Between Wanganeen-Milera and De Koning, Saints list boss Stephen Silvagni – a 312-game premiership-winning legend at the Blues – may have aggressively reset the market for what a top-tier AFL footballer is worth.
But coupled with their Aleer offer, the suspicion across the competition from people this masthead spoke to was that these deals were more indicative of what St Kilda, as opposed to a Geelong or Collingwood, must do to retain and attract high-level talent.
The Saints have made it clear to player agents that they spent below the salary cap limit in recent seasons and were preparing to use those savings in the future.
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat discussed the strategy with this masthead in March.
“I think we will probably end up paying 95 per cent [this season], rather than 105 per cent, or 100 per cent. Then, you can carry that over,” Bassat said.
“You end up needing to pay 95 per cent, so everyone pays that minimum. But you do that by pre-paying some players [front-ended contracts], if that makes sense. That gives you some room in later years.”
The AFL and AFL Players Association’s landmark five-year collective bargaining agreement paved the way for Wanganeen-Milera’s extraordinary payday, with the salary cap swelling by 37 per cent and average player wages soaring to $519,000 by 2027.
The Blues still have a game to go this season, but the industry’s strong assumption is the Saints’ offer is too good for De Koning to reject, given he would be giving up more than half a million dollars a year to stay.
Tom De Koning of the Blues with fans after the win over Port Adelaide at the weekend.Credit: AFL Photos
Carlton will receive a first-round compensation pick if the 26-year-old chooses to leave, while there is also the highly unlikely possibility of Carlton matching the offer, as per restricted free agency rules.
Only the Giants have done that previously, when they matched Geelong’s offer for Jeremy Cameron in 2020 before trading him for a huge package based on three first-round picks.
More interesting is what this all means for incumbent ruckman Rowan Marshall, whose five-year deal does not expire until the end of the 2027 season.
The Cats are among the clubs that inquired about Marshall in the past, and he would be an ideal addition to Chris Scott’s side if he opts to request a trade. Veteran Geelong big man Rhys Stanley is out of contract, while Toby Conway has struggled with injuries and is still developing.
Marshall is on roughly half of what De Koning is being offered, but the latter will be four years younger at the start of next season and better fits the Saints’ list demographics.
That situation is one to monitor because St Kilda are unlikely to find a suitor for contracted captain and dual club champion Jack Steele, who turns 30 in December and has so far indicated he wants to remain a Saint.
This masthead revealed last week that Melbourne, North Melbourne and Essendon were keen on midfielder Marcus Windhager, who is yet to sign beyond this season.
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However, Windhager’s preference is to stay with St Kilda, as long as they stump up an improved financial offer. He and housemate Wanganeen-Milera have developed a strong friendship, which could be another factor.
The Saints have invested in the draft and been rewarded with a talented group on the rise, even beyond marquee star Wanganeen-Milera.
There is reason for optimism about all of Mattaes Phillipou, Mitch Owens, Darcy Wilson, Tobie Travaglia, Alix Tauru, Anthony Caminiti, Max Hall, Hugh Boxshall, Lance Collard and more. Plus, 25-year-old spearhead Max King is due back in 2026 after an injury-ruined campaign.
Only Silvagni and a few in-the-know others at St Kilda know their exact salary cap situation, but they just made their first splash.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
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