In a gripping contest on Friday night between St Kilda and Essendon, both teams, already out of finals contention, showcased fierce determination. The Saints narrowly clinched victory with a two-point win. The match was marked by a significant collision involving St Kilda’s star player Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Essendon’s Jye Menzie during the final minutes, causing a moment of concern for fans nationwide.
Wanganeen-Milera, recognised as a standout player this season, displayed his talent by scoring one of the most remarkable goals against the Bombers. However, he was briefly sidelined after the head-on collision with Menzie, prompting an immediate response from medical staff.
The competition for Wanganeen-Milera’s signature is heating up, with St Kilda, Adelaide, and Port Adelaide all vying for his services, reportedly worth up to $2 million annually. Commentator Gerard Whateley noted the urgency of the medical team attending to him.
Fortunately, he participated in the final moments of the match, contributing to the team’s win and appeared upbeat during the post-match press conference, assuring fans that he was fine after a check-up with doctors.
Essendon, meanwhile, will lament their missed opportunity for a victory, having led for a significant part of the fourth quarter. Mid-season acquisition Liam McMahon impressed with three goals, while teammates Mason Redman and Andrew McGrath excelled defensively, tallying 71 disposals together.
For the Saints, Cooper Sharman and Jack Higgins each scored three goals, with captain Jack Steele leading the team with 27 disposals. Remarkably, St Kilda has now notched up four consecutive wins, albeit by narrow margins, with no victory exceeding nine points. Their thrilling performances have kept fans on the edge of their seats.
As the season comes to a close, St Kilda faces a challenging encounter against GWS in Sydney, while Essendon prepares for two games within the next week—first against Carlton and then Gold Coast—following a rescheduling of their opening round match. Despite lacking motivation for finals, the Bombers will aim to finish strong.