Port Adelaide optimistic for future after losing the race to sign Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera on a mega offer

The Power and Crows chased the out-of-contract South Australian midfielder/half-back, only for him to re-sign on Monday on a two-year deal believed to be worth more than $2m per season.

Incoming coach Carr, as well as Wanganeen-Milera’s close friends Jase Burgoyne and Jason Horne-Francis, had been part of pitches to try to lure the Glenelg product to Alberton.

The 22-year-old’s signature would have been huge for a Port side looking to climb the ladder after slumping from a preliminary final last season to 13th spot with an 8-14 record.

Power football boss Chris Davies said the club put its best foot forward in the race.

“Sometimes you win these decisions, sometimes you lose,” Davies said.

“Unfortunately, we were on the wrong end of that yesterday, but it certainly doesn’t diminish what I think our list is capable of into the future.”

Some reports indicated Port Adelaide’s offer to the brilliant playmaker was as much as $30m over 12 seasons.

But sources suggested to this masthead that while the Power’s deal was front-ended to be worth $2.5m over the first two seasons, it would have been about $1.2-1.4m for each of the next eight.

Asked to clarify reports of Port’s financial package, Davies said: “I think some of the numbers have been well and truly overstated”.

“But I’m not going to tell you exactly what they were.”

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Re-signing gun on-baller Zak Butters remains a priority for Port ahead of the final season of his deal.

Wanganeen-Milera’s mega extension is expected to lead to a steep pay rise for the Power vice-captain, wherever he signs.

According to Code Sports’ Rich 100 of 2024, Butters earned between $700,000 and $800,000 last year – less than half of what he could on the market the Saint’s extension had effectively set.