Melbourne’s football team finds itself under intense scrutiny after their shocking loss to St Kilda, with coach Simon Goodwin acknowledging his players’ failure to cope with the mounting pressure. The game witnessed an extraordinary turn of events as St Kilda overcame a staggering 46-point deficit at three-quarter time to snatch victory by a mere six points, highlighted by Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s decisive goal that came after the final siren—marking the largest comeback from a three-quarter time deficit in VFL/AFL history.
Wanganeen-Milera emerged as the hero during a frenetic final quarter, showcasing exceptional skill by taking an impressive mark and leveling the scores at 90-all with only eight seconds remaining. Following a controversial 6-6-6 infringement by Melbourne, St Kilda’s ruckman, Rowan Marshall, took a free kick amidst chaos. Melbourne struggled to organise defensively despite having ample time to reset; unfortunately, this allowed Wanganeen-Milera to break free and take a clean mark before scoring the match-winning goal.
This unprecedented comeback has raised questions about Melbourne’s defensive strategies, particularly concerning how they allowed the standout player to remain unmarked in such a critical situation. AFL legend Jimmy Bartel voiced his disbelief, urging the Demons to learn from their tactical mistakes during team reviews. Demons captain Max Gawn later accepted blame, revealing he attempted to rally his teammates for a defensive setup but failed to secure the necessary positioning in time.
Meanwhile, Wanganeen-Milera’s composure in a pressure-cooker situation has drawn admiration from former players and commentators alike. A spontaneous discussion with Marshall led to a successful play, as Wanganeen-Milera’s keen awareness allowed him to execute an impressive breakout move and receive a perfect pass.
Sports analysts are praising this cool-headed approach from both young players, labelling the final moments as one of the greatest finishes in AFL history. With Wanganeen-Milera currently out of contract, prominent figures within the St Kilda community are advocating for a quick renewal of his terms, acknowledging his remarkable performance on the field.
As the accolades pour in for the young star, Bartel encapsulated the sentiment surrounding this incredible game: “It was extraordinary, it was chaotic… he was the big dog, he delivered it.” The event is expected to be replayed and celebrated for many years to come, embedding itself in AFL history as a remarkable lesson in resilience and tactical execution.