STRENGTHS:

+ Accumulation
+ Clean hands
+ Consistency
+ Inside game
+ Stoppage craft
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Explosive speed
- Impact-per-possession

An old school footballer in both look and method, Sanders is the embodiment of ‘pull your socks up’. He often cracks in at the contest with 100 per cent intensity, and that team orientated focus allows his more outside-leaning teammates to thrive off his inside craft. For this reason, Sanders has been a mainstay in his various sides' midfield groups over the last two years.

Playing a major role in the undefeated Allies side this year, Sanders was recognised for his efforts across the four games with the Larke Medal, given to the best player across the carnival. It was well deserved given he averaged 35.8 disposals, 5.0 clearances, 6.3 marks, 4.0 tackles and a goal. Sanders linked up well with fellow Tasmanian Colby McKercher at the Champs, with one of them often handing it off to the other if they had won a clearance, or finding each other around the ground.

Sanders has a well-rounded midfield game and balances between inside and outside roles - which he has vastly improved on this year - but thrives more when given the responsibility to win the ball in the coalface. Sanders’ size and strength lend to the contested side of the game, but is by no means the sole reason he is so effective. Sanders uses his physical advantage along with his natural stoppage craft and technique to push opponents off the ball and take it on himself, running at roughly a 40 per cent contested possession rate through the Champs.

On the outside, Sanders is an exceptionally hard worker around the ground, often breaching the defensive 50 arc to assist in winning the ball back, or running hard to lose opponents and accumulate uncontested marks around the ground. However, Sanders is a fairly good contested mark when caught in the situation, displaying strong hands overhead.

Sanders' disposal and general cleanliness at ground level make him extraordinarily reliable. Although he does tend to favour handballing and is often in situations where it’s the best option, Sanders is a damaging kick when given time and space. He's able to assess options quickly and pick out inside-45s almost before his opponents have time to react. What's more, he has developed his scoreboard impact to compound that hurt factor.

There’s not much holding Sanders back from becoming a top level midfielder given his traits and well developed game, with his current style well suited to a first possession winner at the next level. However, Sanders could become an even more damaging player if he more often looked to drive his legs out of congestion to give himself better opportunities to kick rather than handball. An overall focus on improving his explosive power would allow him to do so easier, with more pressure in the elite grade.