Nick Riewoldt insists Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan should apologise to St Kilda Saints for criticism of recruiting splurge that netted Tom De Koning, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt has taken aim at Chris Fagan, insisting the Brisbane Lions premiership coach should apologise to the Saints for claiming their recruiting cash splash was a danger for the game.
The Saints have taken umbrage at Fagan’s remarks in an interview on the AFL website.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has become the highest-paid player in the AFL after agreeing to terms with the Saints last year.Credit: Getty Images
Riewoldt, who remains close to Saints leaders, including coach Ross Lyon and football department chief Lenny Hayes, said Fagan was “off-the-mark” to have put unnecessary scrutiny on the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who has become the league’s first $2 million-a-year man, and ruckman Tom De Koning, who inked a whopping seven-year deal worth about $12 million, among several fresh faces at the club.
While Riewoldt and Fagan share Tasmanian heritage and have played a role in the introduction of the Devils, Riewoldt suggested the two-time premiership coach would be “feeling sick” about his comments, pointing to the Lions’ own list advantages through their academy and ability to snare blue-chip talent, including the Ashcroft brothers.
In a conversation about whether Fagan had “sooked it up”, Riewoldt said: “It sounded that way, didn’t it? Chris Fagan is a beauty, and I reckon he’d be feeling sick today. I’d be shocked if he didn’t reach out and apologise.
“They brought in Daniel Annable as a top-five [national draft] pick through the Lions Academy. [Oscar Allen] walked in under free agency … Sam Draper came in. They’ve been able to walk in the Ashcroft boys over the last few years, as well as Jaspa Fletcher, who might be the best of the lot.
“So, maybe if other clubs were able to do these sorts of things, you wouldn’t have to overpay players to bring them into your club. I thought it was a pretty off-the-mark comment. [He] put the gun squarely at Nasiah and TDK [Tom De Koning] which was not fair. Chris Fagan would be feeling sick today.”
The Lions were contacted for comment.
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