St Kilda and Essendon are duking it out to sign Gold Coast star Sam Flanders with a decision expected from the midfield star on his future imminently.
The Saints - who are reported to have offered Flanders a $900,000-a-season deal over five years - are believed to be confident they have secured a nomination from the 24-year-old, according to journalist Tom Morris.
However, St Kilda is facing stiff competition for Flanders' services from the Bombers, who are understood have offered a contract with a yearly salary greater than the Saints pitch, reported Sam Edmund on 7AFL.
Flanders is expected to make a decision on his 2026 club in the coming days - with Melbourne and Carlton also reportedly interested.
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It looks like the Saints and Bombers are the frontrunners currently, with St Kilda reportedly offering pick 7 to the Suns for Flanders, while Essendon has dangled two selections in the 20s.
Flanders was shunted out of the Suns midfield in 2024, with Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Touk Miller being the core of the engine room throughout the season.
However, Suns coach Damien Hardwick revealed Flanders' indifferent 2024 form was down to a debilitating back injury he carried.
"Sam's had a tough year. He was on fire at the start of the year. He's got a back that, if I'm being completely honest, he probably shouldn't have played half the games he played, but he's tough kid and I love him," Hardwick said after Gold Coast was eliminated from finals.
Any club that has Flanders next season will be hoping for the 2024 version, with the Victorian averaging 31 disposals a game in a half-back-midfield role.