St Kilda’s ambitious trade period has gone up another gear, landing Sam Flanders from Gold Coast in exchange for Pick 7. It’s a bold move — but one that makes football sense.
The Saints, who have long relied on grinding defensive resilience, now add a powerful, attacking runner who can explode from congestion, pressure defenders, and hit the scoreboard. Flanders is only 23, yet already carries the profile of a complete modern midfielder-forward hybrid.
Why this is a perfect fit
Flanders thrives in contested situations but isn’t limited to them. He wins his own ball, bursts forward, and can deliver cleanly by foot — traits that make him a valuable connector between stoppage and scoring chain.
For the Saints, that means:
- A transitional weapon — Flanders bridges the gap between clearance wins and forward entries, turning half-chances into scoring opportunities.
- Forward pressure and versatility — He can start at centre bounces, push forward, or sit high to link up play.
- Support for Steele and Crouch — With another strong-bodied mid rotating through, St Kilda can balance minutes and add dynamism to the mix.
The tactical ripple effect
Pairing Flanders with Tom De Koning (who arrived earlier this trade period) gives the Saints a more layered front half. TDK provides the aerial target; Flanders brings the chaos. Together, they stretch opposition defences and add unpredictability.
Ross Lyon’s defensive systems have always been built on repeat effort and structure. Flanders enhances that blueprint by introducing burst offense — the ability to punish turnovers instantly. Expect the Saints to look more dangerous from intercepts and quicker through the corridor.
What it means for Gold Coast
For the Suns, letting go of Flanders wasn’t ideal, but Pick 7 offers prime draft currency. It also frees salary space as they chase bigger fish in their pursuit of a marquee midfielder — whispers continue around their aggressive interest in Melbourne’s Christian Petracca.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – MAY 08: Sam Flanders of the Suns competes for the ball during the round eight AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Metricon Stadium. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
The bottom line
Sam Flanders is more than a good pickup — he’s a cultural statement. St Kilda are no longer satisfied with just defensive grit; they want speed, impact, and unpredictability. Flanders delivers all three.
