Ross Lyon has confessed that St Kilda dodged disaster when Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera committed to a fresh two-year deal. The 22-year-old was a target for both Adelaide and Port Adelaide but chose to stay in Moorabbin, extending his contract until the end of 2027.

Speaking on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters with Kane Cornes, Lyon didn't hide just how bleak the outlook might have been had the South Australian walked away.

Cornes: "It would have been catastrophic if he left?"

Lyon: "Catastrophic!"

Cornes: "That's a big statement."

Lyon: "And I think that's an understatement."

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Lyon admitted there was no genuine fallback plan, insisting the club would never have been satisfied with any deal on the table.

"There wouldn't be a deal that would satisfy us," he said, before doubling down on the club's stance. "We're not a club that's going to be walked over. We're having people talking about our contracted players. You know if you induce people to breach, that's against the law. So we're not mucking around here."

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The coach also laid bare just how central Wanganeen-Milera is to the Saints' long-term strategy.

"A good dopamine release, bit of euphoria ... relief as well, because it's such an important piece of our puzzle," Lyon said. "It would have been catastrophic for the overall strategy, because from there it's like, well, where's our really high-level performer? He's top of the pops at the moment as a 22-year-old."