4 min read

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera produces AFL performance for the ages as 6-6-6 confusion rocks final eight seconds

Not a single player on the ground knew what was going on as a shocking blunder sealed a new VFL/AFL record.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera wins the game for St Kilda

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera produces AFL performance for the ages as 6-6-6 confusion rocks final eight seconds

Not a single player on the ground knew what was going on as a shocking blunder sealed a new VFL/AFL record.

St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has produced two of the greatest moments the game has ever seen to lead his side to the single biggest three-quarter time comeback in VFL/AFL history.

Inside the space of about 60 seconds of game time, Wanganeen-Milera took a screamer and kicked the final two goals of the game to give the Saints the lead after the final siren.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera wins the game for St Kilda.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Download today

At just 22 years of age, Wanganeen-Milera has already established himself as a Saints legend with his effort at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, in a sequence of play to which words cannot do justice.

The St Kilda freakshow, already with 32 disposals and two goals to his name, was released into the forward 50 in the dying stages of the game as his side trailed by six points.

Wanganeen-Milera climbed on the back of Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch to take a screamer about 30 metres out from goal before going back to slot the goal and level the scores with eight seconds left on the clock.

“Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera! What a mark! Name your price!” Alister Nicholson said of the South Australian, who is yet to decide on his future beyond this year, with Adelaide clubs circling.

“He is utterly unbelievable.”

Then, in confusing, unprecedented, and utterly extraordinary scenes, Melbourne were penalised at the next centre bounce for a 6-6-6 infringement when they only had three inside the centre square, their second of the day, which incurs a free kick.

Melbourne were penalised for only having three players inside the centre square.
Melbourne were penalised for only having three players inside the centre square. Credit: Channel 7

When the free kick was paid by the central umpire, players from both sides started bolting towards St Kilda’s forward 50, but had to be brought back before Saints ruck Rowan Marshall could be given the ball.

“Wait, wait! You’ve got to have four in the middle, we’ve got to wait, we’ve got to set it up,” the umpire could be heard saying while players all bolted in the same direction before realising they weren’t yet allowed to move.

“We must set up the positions!”

To give a free kick for a 6-6-6 infringement, the ground must reset to the correct formation, which created chaos and confusion on the ground with players running everywhere, despite the clock being locked at eight seconds.

When Marshall was eventually handed the ball, he looked straight for Wanganeen-Milera, who had burst forward into the Saints’ 50.

Wanganeen-Milera taking the match-winning mark.
Wanganeen-Milera taking the match-winning mark. Credit: Channel 7
Ross Lyon could only laugh when Wanganeen-Milera took the final mark of the game.
Ross Lyon could only laugh when Wanganeen-Milera took the final mark of the game. Credit: Channel 7

Just as the scriptwriters would have it, Wanganeen-Milera took the courageous mark going back with the flight of the ball and gave himself a shot after the siren to win the game.

And of course he kicked it, writing the Saints into the record books as having achieved the greatest three-quarter time comeback in the history of the game — 46 points.

The Saints superstar was mobbed my teammates after kicking the winner.
The Saints superstar was mobbed my teammates after kicking the winner. Credit: Channel 7
Christian Petracca could hardly believe his eyes.
Christian Petracca could hardly believe his eyes. Credit: Channel 7

The Saints slotted nine unanswered goals in the final term to win 15.6 (96) to Melbourne’s 13.12 (90).

It pips the previous the best last quarter revival, when the Brisbane Bears came from 45 points down at the final break to beat Hawthorn in 1995.

St Kilda are desperate to keep Wanganeen-Milera as he entertains large offers from both South Australian clubs.

This performance, one of the best individual efforts of the season, will only lift his value even further.

Earlier, Fritsch broke the game open with three first-quarter goals, giving his side a 25-point buffer.

The Demons, inspired by tackling machine Jack Viney (16 tackles) extended their lead during every quarter to cruise into three-quarter-time seemingly on their way to a seventh-straight win.

Instead, their capitulation ended a six-game losing run for the Saints, with their last victory also against Melbourne in June when they pipped the inaccurate Demons in Alice Springs.

Melbourne superstar Kysaiah Pickett received heavy attention from St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager.

Pickett didn’t dominate as he often has this season, but still had big moments, including a heavy tackle on Windhager that left the Saint sore and sorry.

St Kilda received a boost when they swung high-flying young gun Alix Tauru from defence to the forward line late in the second term.

The move immediately worked as Tauru took a contested mark, before going back to slot the first goal of what shapes as a promising career.

St Kilda youngster Lance Collard hurt his foot in the first quarter, tried to play on, but was then subbed out in the second term for Hugh Boxshall and ended the match on crutches.

Melbourne defender Jake Bowey could be in some trouble with the match review officer after a potential dangerous tackle on St Kilda forward Jack Higgins just before halftime.

- With AAP

Stream free on

7plus logo