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St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes has denied that contracted midfielder Mattaes Phillipou is available, insisting the 21-year-old remains a key part of the club's future. Phillipou's contract runs through 2028, while St Kilda is also expected to prioritise extending Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's contract after the trade and free agency period.
St Kilda’s football boss has responded following recent speculation over the future of a contracted midfielder. WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.
For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. St Kilda football boss Lenny Hayes has denied contracted youngster Mattaes Phillipou is available after he’s been the subject of recent trade speculation. SEN’s Sam Edmund reported that rival clubs believe the Saints are open to dealing the 21-year-old, who has managed 65 senior games across his first four seasons.
The former No.10 draft pick has struggled for AFL consistency, though, which saw him dropped in the second half of this year. But despite the rumblings, Hayes reiterated St Kilda’s position on the young midfielder, whose deal runs through 2028.
“I spoke about that young core group that we’ve brought in over the past four years, going to the draft and then adding a little bit of experience last year. “But he’s a big part of our future; he’s a contracted player, so that was news to us — even to the point where our list management crew reached out to his management today and said that that wasn’t coming from usBlues brave wet weather to down Hawks | 01:13 Phillipou is set to earn $1 million next year and again in the 2028 season after the Saints invested significantly in the South Australian.
Elsewhere, St Kilda will soon turn its attention to extending superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s contract after this year’s trade and free agency period. The two South Australian clubs made a strong homecoming pitch and will undoubtedly try again if he doesn’t commit early next year. St Kilda general manager Lenny Hayes said Wanganeen-Milera and emerging star Max Hall were primary focuses.
“I think once we get through this next period, there’s no doubt ‘Nas’ and probably Max Hall will be priorities for us going forward,” Hayes told AFL Trade Radio. St Kilda is in ongoing discussions with Geelong over ruckman Rowan Marshall. Marshall requested a second trade to the Cats in as many years after being held to his 2027 contract last year.
“He’s a very good player, Rowan … he’s an experienced ruckman, he’s been a good player for us for a long period of time,” he said. “He’s finished top six in our best and fairest the last three years. We feel like he’s actually had a really good combination with TDK this year.
“I think we’d be open to looking at a few different things and, as I said before, those conversations are ongoing at the moment. “No doubt it’s going to take a little bit to get to a point where we’re satisfied because of how highly we do rate Rowan.
”MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 14: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints walks out onto the field during the round 14 AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium, on June 14, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. Adelaide “won’t entertain” a trade for Nick Murray following the departure of fellow key defender Jordon Butts as the club prepares to be less active this trade period.
Murray has been linked to North Melbourne, despite having two years remaining on his contract at West Lakes. But with Butts’ move to the Bulldogs already leaving a void in the Crows’ defence, Adelaide list boss Jarryd Roughead says the club isn’t concerned about the prospect of losing another key back.
“I don’t think we will. Nick has two years left on a deal, one of those key defenders we have high hopes in and want to make sure we have good depth in that spot,” Roughead said on AFL Trade Radio.
“Nick obviously played some really good footy at the start of the year; he’s a great member of our footy club. So, I don’t expect to see him go anywhere.
“I think what we’ve seen with the departure of Jordon is key defenders aren’t easy to find. We’ve got great competition there with the boys, and we were actually lucky this year with the depth we had and had good coverage.
“At one stage, all of our key defenders were injured, or not in the side. We understand that key depth stocks are hard to find. It’s something we won’t entertain. ”Elsewhere, Roughead said Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey and St Kilda’s Mattaes Phillipou aren’t players the club is looking at after the duo have been linked to trade talk.
Despite missing out on Brisbane star Zac Bailey and a semi-final exit, the Crows will likely keep their powder dry this off-season and hope internal improvement from youngsters like Sid Draper and Dan Curtin can take the side to another level in 2027.
“I don’t expect us to be too active. I know that’s going to be considered the wrong idea, but it’s an opinion-based game,” Roughead said.
“We’ve got great depth within our team, and we need to see what we’ve got within our group. We unfortunately didn’t get to see Sid Draper this year; Dan Curtin came back in the mid-part of the year.
“I think there’s some great upside within our group. It’s just a matter of giving them some exposure and belief to be able to feel like they’re at the level and can contribute ... we know we’ve got gaps in our list, but we’ve drafted some boys where we need to see what we’ve got.
“You’re always trying to make improvements on your list, but A-grade midfielders don’t grow on trees. So, we have to be patient there, too. ”
St Kilda Football Club Mattaes Phillipou AFL Trade Speculation Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Contract Extension
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