Having missed the first seven matches of the season through a combination of injury and suspension, Stanley still managed to finish third in the Club Champion Award, only to be beaten by emerging star Harley Bennell and arguably the competitions best player Gary Ablett.
The former Collingwood player, who joined the GC SUNS in 2010 via the rookie draft, averaged 24 disposals and eight marks last year and played a key role to the SUNS defensive structure and run through the midfield.
Capping off the clubs’ inaugural season as leading goal kicker (2011), and having out-battled opponents with his defensive prowess in the SUNS backline, Stanley is now looking forward to taking his game to another level and wants a stint in the midfield, a challenge senior coach Guy McKenna threw down to the reliable backman.
“I spoke to Bluey [McKenna] and the coaches at the end of last season and they said they’ll be looking at playing me more in the midfield and up forward.”
“Now that we’ve got a few more mature bodies down back, I’m looking forward to developing my game more around stoppages, and resting up forward where I’ll hopefully be able to kick a few goals as well.”
Stanley recently resigned with the GC SUNS for a further two seasons.
