The midfielder was the 11th pick of the 2019 draft, the Suns' third selection behind high-profile top two Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
That pair have dominated the conversation since but Flanders is set for his moment in 2023 alongside them, Touk Miller, David Swallow and fellow young gun Alex Davies in an exciting midfield.
Flanders was arguably best on ground in Friday's intra-club clash, kicking three goals and delivering a weight of clean ball forward to fit-again forward Ben King.
The Victorian, used primarily as a half-forward in his first two AFL seasons, was dropped from the top side in 2022 but responded emphatically in the VFL to earn a recall for the final third of the season.
Able to play VFL finals, he strung together 37, 46 and 43-disposal games to ram home his class and then adopted a "no limits" attitude to fitness in the pre-season.
He broke six minutes in the club's 2km time trial for the first time, driven by criticism of recruiters four years ago who "all ripped him for being a poor runner".
"I wanted to come back the same way I finished last year and the pre-season," the 21-year-old told AAP after his strong performance on Friday.
"I don't have to prove it to the group - I believe they trust me - but to myself after I started to last year."
Contracted until the end of this season, Flanders laughs now at the situation that saw him playing third wheel to Rowell and Anderson.
"Early days there were the comparisons, a little bit," he said of the struggle and pressure his stand-out draft class created.
"But now I love playing with both Noz and Rowelly; we work really well together and that's what it's all about now.
"When you're a young kid you want to be the main player, but when you get older you realise what's important."
King kicked two goals and had four shots at goal in the first half before he was rested on Friday, flying without fear in packs in a sure sign he's ready to fire after a knee injury kept him out last season.
With the Suns growing in depth, fringe forward Joel Jeffrey was a standout with five goals and Brayden Fiorini was impressive as he split his time between both teams.
The Suns finished 12th last season with a 10-12 record, just two wins away from a maiden finals appearance.
"Finals is a big conversation, not only to make them but win them," Flanders said.
"Even though we haven't got there yet that's where the conversation has shifted to."
20°C