Gold Coast draftee Sam Flanders opens up about joining the Suns AFL franchise

Sam Flanders was oddly well rested and calm going into the national draft but that quickly changed once the first few picks were read out. The Suns recruit opens up about the drama leading into his selection, the number one item he will pack for his move to Queensland and his thoughts about life at the Suns.

SAM Flanders was oddly well rested and calm going into the national draft but that quickly changed once the first few picks were read out.

Flanders, 18, was predicted to go around pick five in the first round of the draft on Wednesday, with Sydney and Fremantle both likely suitors.

Both overlooked him.

“It is a bit nerve racking,” Flanders said of his mindset after the predictions didn’t come to fruition.

Draft Selection Number 11 Sam Flanders of the Gold Coast Suns poses for a photo during the 2019 NAB AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I was just trying to stay calm and back the year I have had and stay confident to know I have put in enough hard yards for a club to take an opportunity.

“I’m super excited to go to the Suns and cant wait to get up there (to Queensland).

“Honestly I had no idea. I thought coming in to the night I thought maybe it might be Swans or Freo and then they passed on me and then I was fortunate the Suns gave me the opportunity.”

LUKOSIUS: ‘WHERE I WANT TO PLAY FOR THE SUNS’

RETENTION ISSUES DISSOLVING: SUNS BOSS

Fortunately for Flanders, an 18-year-old from the Victorian country town of Fish Creek that has a population of less than 1000, was exactly what Gold Coast were after.

The Suns never imagined he would still be available outside the top 10 and traded picks 17 and 22 to get him at pick 11, a significant investment not lost on Flanders.

“They have given up two picks on me. I’m super fortunate they had the belief in me it does mean more because of it,” Flanders said.

Sam Flanders (L - Pick 11), Matthew Rowell (Pick 1) and Noah Anderson of the Gold Coast Suns (R - Pick 2) pose for a photo during the 2019 NAB AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Flanders and his family lived on a dairy farm in Fish Creek, known for the giant fish on top of the local pub, and the man likened to Melbourne midfielder Christian Petracca defected to basketball before returning to Australian rules in recent years.

“Only in the last two years I have converted back over to football and I’m really happy that I made that decision,” Flanders said.

Sam Flanders is presented with a jersey by Jack Lukosius (left) and Izak Rankine of the Suns (right) during the first round of the 2019 AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Wednesday, November 27, 2019. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING

He held his own against fellow Suns recruits and top two draft picks Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson in underage football and will now play alongside them at the Gold Coast.

Flanders said most of the Suns players had sent him messages welcoming him to the club as he prepared to fly to Queensland on Saturday.

And the number one item he will make a priority of packing? His PlayStation, and maybe some sunscreen.