Tex Wanganeen carries one of the most famous surnames in Australian Rules Football history. As the son of Brownlow Medalist and AFL Hall of Famer Gavin Wanganeen, Tex entered the football world with high expectations and a natural flair for the game.
After a stint with the
Essendon Bombers and a move to the VFL, his journey continues to evolve as he seeks to carve out his own legacy.
In this article, you will know Tex Wanganeen’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Tex Wanganeen’s Biography
| Category |
Details |
| Full Name |
Tex Wanganeen |
| Date of Birth |
October 10, 2003 |
| Age |
22 |
| Height |
179 cm (5’10”) |
| Weight |
Approx. 73 kg |
| Nationality |
Australian |
| Father |
Gavin Wanganeen (AFL Legend) |
| AFL Draft |
2022 Pre-Season Supplemental Selection (SSP) |
| Former AFL Club |
Essendon Bombers |
| Current Club |
Port Melbourne (VFL) |
| Net Worth |
Approx. $150,000 – $250,000 AUD |
| Career Earnings |
Approx. $200,000 (AFL Contracts) |
| Instagram Profile |
@texwanganeen |
Early Career
Born into football royalty, Tex Wanganeen grew up surrounded by the elite level of the sport. His father, Gavin Wanganeen, is a legend of the game, having won a Brownlow Medal with Essendon and a premiership with
Port Adelaide.
This lineage naturally placed a spotlight on Tex from a young age. He attended Xavier College in Melbourne, a school renowned for its football program, where he began to display the agility and goal sense that defined his father’s career.
However, his path to the AFL was far from smooth. In his draft year, Wanganeen suffered a significant setback with a navicular stress fracture in his foot. This serious injury sidelined him for a long period, causing him to miss out on the National Draft entirely.
Despite this heartbreak, his talent was undeniable. Essendon, the club where his father first made history, invited him to train with them during the 2022 pre-season.
Wanganeen impressed the coaching staff with his recovery and natural ability, eventually earning a spot on the list via the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection (SSP) just weeks before the season began.
Professional Career
Tex Wanganeen’s professional career officially kicked off in early 2022 when he signed with the Essendon Bombers. His rise was rapid; after just a few weeks on the list, he made his AFL debut in Round 2 of the 2022 season against the
Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium.
It was a fairy-tale moment for the Wanganeen family, made even more special when he kicked his first AFL goal in that very match—a clever snap that sent the Essendon crowd into a frenzy.
The 2023 season proved more challenging. Wanganeen battled form and fitness issues, struggling to break into the senior side consistently. He spent the majority of the year developing his craft in the VFL.
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Essendon made the difficult decision to delist him, ending his time at the club after five senior games.
Determined to keep his football dream alive, Wanganeen signed with the Port Melbourne Football Club in the VFL for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
There, he reunited with former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell, continuing to showcase his skills at the state level while hoping for a potential AFL lifeline.
In late 2025, reports also linked him to St Kilda’s VFL affiliate, the Sandringham Zebras, as he looked to train closer to his cousin and St Kilda star, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.
Tex Wanganeen’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Tex Wanganeen has an estimated net worth of approximately $150,000 to $250,000 AUD.
Contract
During his time at Essendon (2022-2023), Wanganeen was on a standard rookie contract. In the AFL, base rookie salaries are significantly lower than senior list contracts, typically ranging between $80,000 and $110,000 AUD annually, plus match payments for senior games played.
Upon moving to the VFL with Port Melbourne, his contract would have shifted to a part-time semi-professional structure, where players are paid a base retainer plus match fees, which is considerably less than an AFL wage.
Salary
In his debut season (2022), Wanganeen likely earned a base wage of around $85,000 plus match payments of roughly $4,000-$5,000 per AFL game. With five career games, his match payments would have supplemented his base income.
In 2023, without senior selection, he would have earned the base rookie salary. Currently, playing in the VFL, his football income serves as a supplement to other work or study.
Career Earnings
| Year |
Club/League |
Estimated Earnings (AUD) |
| 2022 |
Essendon (AFL) |
~$105,000 (Base + Match Payments) |
| 2023 |
Essendon (AFL) |
~$90,000 (Base Salary) |
| 2024 |
Port Melbourne (VFL) |
~$20,000 – $30,000 |
| 2025 |
Port Melbourne (VFL) |
~$25,000 – $35,000 |
| Total |
Career |
~$250,000 (Approx) |
Career Stats
| Stat |
Value |
| AFL Debut |
Round 2, 2022 vs Brisbane Lions |
| Games Played |
5 |
| Goals Scored |
1 |
| Disposals (Avg) |
6.8 per game |
| VFL Club |
Port Melbourne (2024–2025) |
FAQs
1. Who is Tex Wanganeen’s father?
Tex Wanganeen is the son of AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen. Gavin is a Brownlow Medalist (1993), a premiership player with Essendon (1993) and Port Adelaide (2004), and a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
2. What team does Tex Wanganeen play?
Tex Wanganeen has been playing for the Port Melbourne Football Club in the VFL. However, reports in late 2025 suggested he was looking to move to St Kilda’s affiliate, Sandringham, to be closer to his cousin.
3. Why was Tex Wanganeen delisted?
Essendon delisted Tex Wanganeen at the end of the 2023 season. After recovering from a serious foot injury to make his debut in 2022, he struggled to find consistent form and fitness in 2023, leading the club to make tough list management decisions.
4. How many AFL games did Tex Wanganeen play?
Tex Wanganeen played a total of five senior AFL games for the Essendon Football Club. All of these appearances occurred during the 2022 season, where he also kicked his solitary AFL goal.
5. Is Tex Wanganeen related to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera?
Yes, Tex Wanganeen and St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera are cousins. The two share a close bond, and reports in 2025 indicated that Tex was interested in training with St Kilda’s reserves to be closer to Nasiah.
