St Kilda’s aggressive list build could be set for another twist, with Gold Coast’s Sam Flanders the latest name tied to Moorabbin.
Despite being under contract until the end of 2027, the 24-year-old midfielder has reportedly caught the Saints’ eye as they look to add more depth to their engine room.
According to SEN’s Sam Edmund, the club is “confident” of luring Flanders back to Victoria, going so far as to spread word that a deal will be struck during October’s trade period.
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Midfield shuffle sparks speculation
Flanders has faced a positional shuffle over the past year, moving out of the half-back line where he flourished and into a half-forward role following the Suns’ recruitment of Daniel Rioli and John Noble. That change has fuelled talk of a potential move, with several Melbourne clubs circling.
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AFL Media’s Cal Twomey weighed in on Gettable, saying: “Do they (the Saints) have another top midfielder on the way as well? I think there’s a bit of watch on Sam Flanders and what he does at the Suns — a player who’s had his role changed this year. Other clubs are hunting him in Melbourne as well ... the talk around the industry over recent times is they (the Saints) have another player locked in that midfield group.”
If St Kilda succeeds, Flanders would join Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Tom De Koning as high-profile names secured this season, with further moves already hinted at in what’s shaping as one of the most ambitious recruitment drives in the AFL.