While his fellow draftees returned to their families when COVID-19 first struck, Sam Flanders saw it as an opportunity to double down on his development.

The 18-year-old, who has moved in with teammate Ben Ainsworth, has been thriving since joining the club in November last year.

He’s already had the experience of living out of home after attending boarding school in his high school years, so felt comfortable remaining on the Coast while his teammates returned to their family homes.

And it’s that decision which has him turning the heads of senior players and staff amongst the club.

“He actually took the initiative to stay up here when all the other first-year guys went home,” co-captain David Swallow told SUNS Media.

“That was pretty impressive for him to make that choice to stay up here and take the opportunity to focus and train and get better.”

High Performance Manager Alex Rigby echoed Swallow’s comments after working closely with Flanders on his personal training program.

“He’s one that’s just flourishing from learning how to be an athlete,” Rigby told SUNS Media.

“He’s training the house down, he’s super engaging and he’s interested in developing.

“We chat a couple of times a week and talk about different aspects of his program. 

“He’s willing to learn and he’s been one for me that’s really stood out through this period.”

Flanders was selected with Pick 11 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, originally from Gippsland Power in Morwell, Victoria.