Brent was drafted with the 13^th pick in 2003 National Draft. Over the next 14 years, he averaged close to 20 games per year, making him one of the most reliable players over that time.

He was 17 when he arrived. You do not do that unless you have above average talent, above average dedication to personal preparation and more importantly above and beyond love of his footy club.

Yes, we all love our club but to me Brent has a caring, passionate and genuine love for the Essendon jumper. This has always stood out to me. He was not an extroverted player but he played with such passion.

You have to remember Brent has played in a very inconsistent and topsy-turvy era for Essendon. At times, it would have been difficult and frustrating. He emerged as one of the elite AFL runners in the competition, so it would have been very easy for him to move to another club.

His first year in 2004 was the last time Essendon won a final. His teammates included Hird, Johnson, Rioli, Hille, Lucas, Lloyd, Fletcher, Misiti and Ramanauskas. Individually or as a group, they would speak proudly of him as a teammate. This is the man they affectionally dubbed, ‘Humphrey’. It probably had something to do with the fact that we didn’t hear him speak for two years.

He was one of the great self-improvers. That means he pushed, trained and willed himself to elite standards. He turned himself into an elite AFL midfielder and critically ‘carried’ Essendon in this department for a decade. But he needed continuity and from the outside looking in, the year out of the game would have significantly affected Brent more than it may others.

According to all reports, he is pushing and leading those young players in the VFL very well. It’s obviously not my decision at all but Essendon would be wise to keep Brent close to its ranks of young players as an example of elite training standards. I think he would make an outstanding development coach.

When you win the trust of your coaches and the trust and admiration from the likes of Hird, Fletcher, Lloyd, Lucas and Misiti then your impact has been significant.

I admire him because he has always put Essendon first. In a bit of an old throwback to days long gone, Brent played for that famous old jumper with the red sash.

He played more than 250 games and kicked more than 150 goals. He’s not one of Essendon’s greatest players over the course of our history but he is on the podium as one of Essendon’s greatest and most loyal people.

Brent Stanton’s contribution should be recognised and respected as being significant to the fabric of our Club.

This has been an outstanding Essendon career.

Well played ‘Humphrey’.

Robert Shaw was an Assistant Coach at the Essendon Football Club when Brent Stanton was drafted in 2003.