AFL trade news 2025: St Kilda Saints leading offer to Sam Flanders, contract amount and length, Collingwood Magpies tell Mason Cox and Tom Mitchell to find new homes

It’s been revealed a Victorian club is in the “box seat” to land contracted Gold Coast midfielder Sam Flanders, having floated a handsome offer.

Meanwhile, two Collingwood veterans, including a Brownlow medallist, have been told to explore other opportunities amid a list squeeze.

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VIC CLUB IN ‘BOX SEAT’ FOR SUN

St Kilda is leading the way for wantaway Suns ball-getter Sam Flanders.

That’s according to SEN’s Sam Edmund, who reports the race for Flanders has “exploded”, and the Saints are considered “in the box seat” to win his services with an offer of $900,000 per year across five seasons.

The club has reportedly offered the no.7 pick at November’s draft to try and force the Suns’ hand. Gold Coast already currently holds the no.6 pick.

Flanders, who is contracted at Carrara for two more seasons, has met with multiple clubs as he contemplates a potential departure during October’s trade window.

Edmund added on X of the Bombers’ ability to still make a play: “Essendon also still in play here. The Bombers have indicated they will deal their two picks in the 20s. Suns want players back, however, whether in this potential exchange or others.”

It comes after Flanders was linked in a potential Christian Petracca-to-Gold Coast trade, with Melbourne one of the clubs thought to be interested in the six-year Sun.

PIES PAIR TOLD TO ASSESS OPTIONS

Out-of-contract veteran Collingwood duo Mason Cox and Tom Mitchell have reportedly been told to pursue rival opportunities as competition for Pies list spots heats up.

Both Cox and Mitchell are eligible for free agency this year. Cox played an important finals role as a tall marking target this September, while Mitchell hasn’t played at AFL level since Round 22 and managed just four senior appearances this season.

“Mason Cox has been told look at other options for next year. In contract limbo for next season,” AFL Media’s Cal Twomey said on AFL Trade Radio.

Twomey also said of Mitchell: “Tom Mitchell is the other one that has been told to explore his options.”

SEN’s Sam Edmund later added: “Mason Cox is in football no-man’s land at the moment. I still think it makes sense for Collingwood to keep him … at the moment, he is free to look around if he can find a suitor.”

The Magpies just days ago made their first four delistings of the off-season, with premiership player Oleg Markov, Fin Macrae, Ash Johnson and Charlie Dean all farewelled as the club turns its attention to the player movement period.