Rory Sloane exposes 'dirty tactics' rival AFL clubs use in trade space, following Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera-Taylor Walker saga

Former Adelaide captain Rory Sloane has called out "dirty tactics" used by AFL clubs in the trade and free agency space.

It comes following the week-long saga surrounding Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, and Caroline Wilson's report that he did not wish to play for the Crows due to Taylor Walker's suspension for racist comments in 2021.

Wilson's report was denied by the St Kilda star's manager, with the player himself calling Walker to reassure him that the story was wrong.

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Wanganeen-Milera is out of contract at the end of the season and is weighing up rival interest from both Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

It's worth mentioning that Wilson stands by her story's validity and her reporting of it.

While Sloane doesn't know the exact situation, he believes this fits the mould other clubs have employed in the past, where false rumours and reports are whispered to rival players and the media, in order to paint clubs in a bad light.

"I can't speak exactly for this situation (with Wanganeen-Milera), but situations in the past I know for a fact that a couple of players have come to (Adelaide) and expressed what other clubs have said to them around (the Crows), and the displeasure towards the club," Sloane told Nine's Footy Classified.

"(About how) the club is being operated and run (other clubs) have spoken poorly about (Adelaide) in the past."

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The former Crows star knows of at least two situations where a player was swayed by these rumours and ultimately avoided joining the club.

"It never really bothered us (as players), we just saw it as a dirty tactic," Sloane said.

"I just don't think these tactics should exist anymore.

"I know that at least two players in the past have gone 'well that's just a big black line through that club, we're not going to go there, if that's how they operate, why would I want to be a part of that club?'.

"The tactic doesn't work for everyone, it maybe has in the past for some."

Former Essendon coach James Hird said he has no personal experience of clubs spreading lies about each other in order to sway players in the trade space.

"I remember when Chris Judd came and interviewed us (at Essendon) and interviewed Carlton and (Essendon) sort of went 'don't go to Carlton, they're no good', in a joking way, it wasn't that serious, but I haven't seen that before," Hird said.

Wanganeen-Milera has an enormous decision to make, but he appears likely to sign a contract worth over $1 million per season regardless of whether he picks the Saints, or opts to return home to South Australia and play for the Crows or Power.