Gold Coast and St Kilda have officially agreed upon a deal that will send Suns midfielder Sam Flanders to the Saints, granting him his desired trade request.
The Suns are sending Flanders to Moorabbin for St Kilda's Pick 7 in the upcoming National Draft, a selection which will likely be a central element in the looming Christian Petracca trade with Melbourne.
Flanders, who is contracted until the end of 2027, was tossing up between the Saints, Essendon, Melbourne and Carlton as his preferred new home, but St Kilda's five-year deal worth around $900,000 a season to the 24-year-old won him over.
“Joining St Kilda feels like the right move at the right time,” Flanders said.
Trade approved.
Gold Coast SUNS trade Sam Flanders to St Kilda for Round One pick 7 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
— AFL House (@AFL_House) October 8, 2025
“This group has shown it's ready to take the next step and I'm eager to grow with them. I'm confident the Saints' environment will bring out the best in me as both a player and a person.
“St Kilda fans are incredibly passionate and loyal. I want to be part of the group that brings them the ultimate reward and success.
“Gold Coast will always be important to me as the place where I started my AFL journey and grew so much, but I'm fired up for what's ahead in the red, white and black.”
St Kilda Head of Talent and Acquisition Graeme Allan highlighted the importance of Flanders addition to the Saints' engine room, bringing another layer of class to an already exciting mix of talent.
It is a group that is expected to reach new heights in 2026. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Marcus Windhager both broke out into legitimate stars of the league in 2025, and the additions of elite ruck Tom De Koning and key defender Jack Silvagni will undoubtedly help them blossom further next season.
“Sam brings a real competitive edge,” Allan said.
“He's shown he can win the ball, work both ways and impact the scoreboard, and we believe he's only just beginning to tap into his potential.
“Importantly, he sits right in the age and experience bracket we've been looking to bolster. He's already proven at AFL level but still has plenty of growth ahead of him, which makes him a perfect fit for where our list is at.
“He was a valued part of Gold Coast's side, so to have him choose St Kilda speaks volumes about the direction we're heading. Our members should be excited - Sam's hunger to compete and grow fits perfectly with what we're building.”
