Geelong premiership ruckman Rhys Stanley has announced his retirement from the AFL after 230 games at the top level.
Drafted to St Kilda with Pick 47 in the 2008 National Draft, Stanley played 58 games between 2010 and 2014 for the Saints, before defecting to Geelong ahead of the 2015 season.
The Cats sent Pick 21 to the Saints in exchange for Stanley and Pick 60. Stanley would become a great servant of the hoops, featuring in 172 games for Chris Scott, booting 75 goals and playing his role in the Cats' memorable 2022 premiership.
The 35-year-old West Adelaide product thanked both of the clubs he represented when announcing his decision.
“Thank you to the St Kilda Football Club for giving this lanky country boy an opportunity way back in 2008, and to the Geelong Football Club for helping shape the person I am today,” Stanley said.
“There are so many special people at the Cats who have made my family's and my time in football as enjoyable as it could possibly be.
“It's been a rollercoaster, but gee it's been fun. Memories and friendships that will be with me forever.”
Former teammate-turned-Geelong's footy boss Andrew Mackie thanked Stanley for his contributions to the club.
“Rhys has been an important part of our club over the last 12 seasons and we congratulate him on his fantastic career,” Mackie said.
“Very few players have established themselves at a new club as successfully as Rhys did. He has been a consistent part of our side for the best part of a decade and within that has been a dependable contributor who adapted to whatever role the team required of him.
“Rhys departs the Club as a premiership player, a highly respected and well-liked teammate, and someone who has played an important role in supporting the development of our emerging rucks in recent seasons. It's a reflection of the person and teammate he has been throughout his time at Geelong."
Stanley managed one senior appearance for the Cats in his final season, and cruelly missed the VFL Grand Final through a pectoral injury sustained in the side's preliminary final victory over Port Melbourne.
