The Gold Coast SUNS traded up the order to draft Sam Flanders with pick 11 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft. The 18-year-old is a powerful medium forward/midfielder who has impacted matches all year with his contested ball-winning ability and strength in one-on-one contests real features of his play. He won 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian honours after he averaged 22.5 disposals, 4.5 marks, 4.5 clearances and six tackles across the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. He can change a game in a burst, whether it be bolting out of a stoppage and shrugging off tacklers, or when he goes forward, either in the air as a strong overhead mark for his size or when he shows his power at ground level.