Latest on Suns stars’ futures as former Pick 1 tipped to shun Vic offers: In and Under

The latest on a pair of Suns stars’ futures. Plus a rival club still leads the race for a high-flying Giant weighing up his next move.

In and Under delves into footy’s hottest topics, with insights from behind the scenes.

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CLUBS EXPECT ROWELL TO STAY A SUN, FLANDERS NOT AVAILABLE

Clubs around the AFL expect Matt Rowell to recommit to the Gold Coast Suns as the star midfielder weighs up a call on his future and a potential return to Victoria.

Rowell’s decision has dragged into the middle part of the season to create a level of uncertainty on the former No. 1 pick’s next move, despite the 8-4 Suns being in their best ever position since entering the competition.

But the feeling from rival clubs is the out-of-contract on-baller will ultimately re-sign at Gold Coast. A two-year extension is considered the most likely outcome, which would take him through to free agency in 2027.

That could change while Rowell, who turns 24 in July, has spent time away during the Suns’ bye week in what’s seen as a crucial period for his looming call.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Matt Rowell of the Suns and mother Louise celebrate during the 2025 AFL Round 09 match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Western Bulldogs at TIO Stadium on May 10, 2025 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Gold Coast isn’t uncomfortable with where things sit, with a view Rowell’s decision wouldn’t necessarily have been front of mind in the first half of the campaign.

Rowell at the end of last season met with Collingwood, Geelong, Essendon and Western Bulldogs, who are the only clubs still in the mix for his services.

The Victorian bought a $2 million house in Melbourne suburb Kew earlier this year, but it’s not unusual for AFL players to buy properties in other states. Chad Warner in January purchased a property in Perth suburb Applecross, before re-signing with Sydney.

Rowell’s good mate Noah Anderson became the Suns captain this year, while another of Rowell’s close friends, Jack Lukosius, departed for Port Adelaide at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast won’t make Sam Flanders available for trade despite the gun utility being linked with a move.

Foxfooty.com,au’s Will Faulkner first reported rival clubs were monitoring Flanders, while Nine’s Tom Morris revealed the 23-year old Victorian was a “big watch” in the second half of the season with the lure of more money and midfield time elsewhere.

St Kilda is a club that could target Flanders, who’s contracted until 2027 to complicate a potential move.

After a breakout 2024 season across halfback and through the midfield, Flanders has played more half-forward this year.

Flanders’ pre-season was disrupted by a back injury that delayed him playing his first game until Round 3.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Sam Flanders of the Suns is congratulated by Matt Rowell after kicking a goal during the round three AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Gold Coast Suns at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 29, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

GIANTS BOSS ‘ABSOLUTELY’ SEES FUTURE WITH ALEER... BUT RIVAL LEADS MULTI-CLUB RACE

The GWS Giants’ chief executive “absolutely” thinks Leek Aleer’s future is at the club, but concedes the high flyer will draw big offers to leave.

The Giants have offered Aleer a two-year extension, but St Kilda remains the frontrunner for his services, as reported by foxfooty.com.au in April, amid interest from two other clubs.

The out-of-contract defender’s management it set to meet with GWS again in the coming weeks ahead of his crunch call in the second half of the season after finding a spot in Adam Kingsley’s back six.

Asked on SEN radio if he thinks there’s a future for Aleer at the Giants, club CEO Dave Matthews said: “Yeah, I absolutely would.”

Aleer is weighing up his future (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Matthews added of Aleer: “A wonderful young man, great athlete, and a real role model for the communities we’re trying to get to in western Sydney to be able to tell stories about Leek Aleer, Joey Delana and Stephen Coniglio and the diversity out there.

“You’ve got to be able to see a reflection of yourself in the game and certainly that’s what Leek provides in addition to just being a great athlete with a lot of promise.

“We know big offers will come, we’ve had some players in recent times really stay because of the culture and the opportunity at the Giants.

“We’re certainly working closely with his management to try secure him long term.”

Bontempelli cops Saints' brutal tag | 01:50

Aleer loves GWS and is still weighing up his future, but remains focused on staying in the team after struggling to crack into the Giants’ star-studded defence earlier this season when trade talk first emerged.

The 23-year old played his first AFL game in 2025 in Round 11 — despite none of the Giants’ other key defenders coming out of the side — and has played in every match since.

It takes Aleer’s career games tally to 15 after joining the Giants with the No. 15 pick in the 2021 National Draft.

The cashed-up Saints have a war chest to use on targets this off-season. St Kilda has come hard for Carlton’s Tom De Koning, while it’s also been linked with a potential move for Port Adelaide’s Miles Bergman.

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