The St Kilda NGA talent who models his game on Richmond and Collingwood stars

Sam Linder is a talented teenager who is intent on living the life of an AFL footballer.

The 17-year-old Sandringham Dragons youngster has been in strong form in the Coates Talent League, riding the wave of momentum with the powerful junior club.

The Dragons are sitting pretty on top of the ladder with a 4-0 record and a massive percentage of 215, and Linder has been central to that strong start.

However, the vice-captain at the Dragons will now focus on the APS competition with Brighton Grammar where he plans to continue doing damage as an offensive weapon off half-back.

“Plenty of run-and-carry, high-disposal games,” Linder told SEN’s Future Stars when describing his best traits.

“I like to be in the 25-30 (disposal) range and impacting by foot. Then here and there showing my versatility whether that be going inside mid and really adding that spark in the midfield. Sometimes even playing up forward which I’ve done in previous years.

“This year I’m definitely off half-back, being a leader and then sometimes getting a gig in the midfield and being that inside, physical bull that I like to be.”

A defender standing at 178cm, Linder has a few specific players in mind when asked who he compares his game to.

He loves the way Richmond’s Liam Baker goes about his business and is in awe of Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard, particularly when it comes to the mental side of the game.

“There’s two players that spring to mind,” Linder said.

“One is Liam Baker at Richmond, just with how versatile he is. I know he’s playing a bit of forward and mid here and there, but every now and then Adem Yze chucks him into the backline. So his versatility springs out to me.

“He’s able to hit the scoreboard, able to apply that pressure as a small defender and a small player on the field.

“Then from a mentality perspective, the ultimate defender - Brayden Maynard.”

In a major positive for St Kilda fans, the consistent backman is part of the Saints’ Next Generation Academy.

He has already spent time with senior Saints players while learning off head coach Ross Lyon and his staff, including NGA head coach Brendon Goddard and club legend Nick Dal Santo.

“My dad is South African so that South African link has essentially allowed me to be part of the NGA program at St Kilda for the last three or four years,” Linder explained.

“It’s definitely been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’m under the coaching staff of Brendon Goddard and Nick Dal Santo. I have access to all the facilities, the physios, the dieticians, the recruiting staff.

“In the holidays I got to spend three days with the whole Saints team while they were preparing for the Richmond game. Just that experience was absolutely incredible. I got to listen to the team meetings, experience the intensity at training, (see) the size difference, speak to the recruiting staff and Ross Lyon and essentially socialise with the players.

“It’s been an incredible experience and definitely the life I want to live past school. It’s opened up so many opportunities at St Kilda and one of the best decisions that I’ve made throughout my football journey.”

So far in 2024 with the Dragons, Linder is averaging 18.8 disposals, 2.5 rebound 50s, 2.5 tackles and 2.3 inside 50s.

He’ll next be in action for Brighton Grammar against Wesley College in the APS competition this Saturday.