Former St Kilda and Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch has named former Saints teammate Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as a future "superstar" of the competition while also expecting the Crows to "come knocking" for his services.
Wanganeen-Milera looms as St Kilda's priority retention target in 2025, with both South Australian sides tipped to be readying offers to lure the Glenelg product out of Moorabbin.
The 22-year-old has been a shining light under Ross Lyon this year, polling coaches' votes in the Saints' past two wins against Geelong and Richmond.
Off-contract at the end of the current season, the Saints will be hoping to secure Wanganeen-Milera's services for the coming years as they continue to build a youthful list with Lyon's guidance.
The coming fortnight could be pivotal in Wanganeen-Milera deciding his future, with the Saints to remain in Adelaide following this week's contest against Port Adelaide due to Gather Round being scheduled for Round 5.
The week-long stint back in SA could afford Wanganeen-Milera, his family and his management the time to assess the interest and options from both the Power and Crows.
The recently retired Crouch believes the former Pick 11 selection will be the best of the Saints' young brigade, but he flagged his other old club will look to "have a fair crack" in attempting to lure Wanganeen-Milera to West Lakes.
"Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is the pick of them. He's going to be a superstar," Crouch told the Unpluggered Podcast.
"I'd be trying to keep hold of him before the Crows come knocking.
"I hope (he stays at St Kilda), but I dare say Adelaide is going to have a fair crack."
Discussing the remaining ranks of St Kilda's top emerging contingent, Crouch flagged Mitch Owens, Marcus Windhager and Mattaes Phillipou as the key pieces in the club's future.
Injuries have hampered all three young Saints across the early periods of their careers, with Crouch stressing the need for uninterrupted preparation in the developmental phase of their careers.
"Mitch Owens, I love him as a kid, he's going to be a really good player," Crouch said.
"It was only his second game back on the weekend, and he had a really good game. Him and Windhager are going very well.
"Phillipou is the same, but he's got his injuries. It's hard for some of these young guys with injuries, they do take a bit of a back step sometimes.
"It helps to have a full pre-season for the young guys. I was speaking to my brother (Matt Crouch) the other day; [Adelaide] had 91 per cent of their list do a full pre-season. Which is ridiculous and amazing.
"Whether it's luck or whatever, it just has a massive impact on the season."
The Saints have battled with a packed casualty ward to start this season, with Max King, Jack Steele, Dan Butler, Phillipou, Hunter Clark, Liam Stocker and Paddy Dow all missing last week's win over the Tigers.
Sitting in seventh on the ladder with a 2-1 record, the Saints face Port Adelaide on Sunday at Adelaide Oval as they eye their third successive victory.
Watch the Unpluggered Podcast with Brad Crouch on YouTube (player below) or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
