DANNY Stanley will play his 50^th AFL match for the Gold Coast SUNS this weekend, and given his impressive form in 2013, it’s safe to say the rejuvenated midfielder hasn’t looked back since joining the SUNS.

The mature-aged Gold Coaster has been solid around the contested football since being shifted from the backline to the midfield – averaging 20 disposals and three clearances whilst consistently tagging the opposition’s most dangerous player each week.

While the milestone match will undoubtedly be shadowed in significance by Gary Ablett’s 250^th, the clash against the Dees will still be a special moment for the former Magpie.

“I’m really enjoying my footy on the Gold Coast and playing alongside such a talented playing group,” he said.

“It’s evident that we’re building towards something special and it’s great to have been part of the foundation of it all.”

After performing superb shut-down roles on star midfielders Marc Murphy and Scott Pendlebury in recent weeks, Stanley is the most likely man to be given the job on Dee’s spiritual leader Nathan Jones – the leading possession-getter for the opposition. 

“Melbourne have a young and talented midfield unit that is going to present numerous challenges for us tomorrow night, but to face them on our home ground is a great opportunity for our playing group,” Stanley said. 

“It’s certainly is going to be a hard-fought match for both sides, but if we stick to our structures and implement the things we have been working on during the week, hopefully we’ll be in a pretty good position at the end of the match to walk away with the win.”