Gold Coast gun Sam Flanders picks St Kilda as new club ahead of AFL trade period
St Kilda has won the race for Sam Flanders with the Gold Coast gun choosing the Saints over two big Victorian rivals – and it could pave the way for Christian Petracca’s move north.
St Kilda’s ability to secure the trade wish of Gold Coast ball magnet Sam Flanders could pave the way for Christian Petracca’s move to the Suns.
Flanders has picked the Saints as his trade preference over Essendon and Melbourne, sold on a bumper five-year contract worth about $4.5m and a midfield role.
Saints coach Ross Lyon sold Flanders on a centre bounce midfield role, having been shifted around between forward and back flanks by Damien Hardwick this year.
In 2024, he raked in 680 disposals, an average of 30.9 per game, and polled 12 Brownlow Medal votes.
The Saints see Flanders as a midfield running mate for superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, with incoming free agent Tom De Koning the club’s new first ruck.
St Kilda currently holds pick 7 in the draft, which is expected to be part of negotiations for 24-year-old Flanders.
Should that selection make its way to Gold Coast, it could then become a fulcrum in the Suns’ deal to secure Petracca, who picked Hardwick’s side as his preferred second home.
The Dees do no hold currently hold a first-round pick, while the Suns have to balance up draft picks to select academy jets Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson.
Flanders’ commitment continues a hectic period for the Saints, who secured free agents Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni on Friday, hours before Rowan Marshall put in a trade request to Geelong.
Jack Steele relinquished the captaincy on Friday as he assess his future at the club after being told his midfield role was likely to be slashed next season.
Liam Ryan and Leek Aleer are also expected to head to Moorabbin in trades before the October 15 deadline.
Originally published as Gold Coast gun Sam Flanders picks St Kilda as new club ahead of AFL trade period
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