News

Stanton continues strong pre-season

Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton says the players are aware the hard work on the track must continue, with the NAB Cup campaign just four weeks away from kicking off.

The 25 year-old, who has already played 162 games for the Bombers, is impressed with the way the playing group has remained focused during the tough pre-season campaign under second-year coach James Hird.

“The players have been great in terms of managing their workloads and maintaining their physical conditions,” Stanton said.

“Over the course of the pre-season, we’ve pushed ourselves on all levels but we definitely know that we still have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be this season.”

Last week, high performance manager Dean Robinson praised the fitness levels of Stanton, following the midfielder’s return to the club after the Christmas break.

“Stants has come back looking really fit and is impressing us all with his intense work rates and high levels of professionalism,” Robinson said.

Stanton again joins captain Jobe Watson, Mark McVeigh, Heath Hocking and new additions Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis in Essendon’s leadership group for 2012.

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PLAYER PROFILE: Brent Stanton
PLAYER PROFILE: Mark McVeigh
PLAYER PROFILE: Jobe Watson

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Hope you have a great year Stanton and prove your detractors wrong. There are plenty of us who appreciate your hard work ethic and dedication to this club.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 17/01/2012 1:33:37 PM)

Well done Brent, Brownlow contender this year forsure, keep up the good work mate. Go Bombers, top 4 2012.

- GARY WALTERS (posted 17/01/2012 1:35:43 PM)

I know its been said before, but we are fortunate to have a guy like Brent Stanton at our great club. He's a tremendous athlete, a fantastic role model, and every accolade that comes his way is richly deserved. He is, simply, inspirational!

- Dennis Green (posted 17/01/2012 1:42:49 PM)

Stanton to play on the wing this year and have a great year with Heath, Jobe and Myers to do the heavy inside work. cheers Bobby.

- Bob Davies (posted 17/01/2012 1:51:00 PM)

His figures are creeping up very close to those of a somwhat forgotten stalwart of the club: Garry Goulds #10. Had 200 or more games to his name before he won a flag. There are plenty of comparative outlooks to the current Essendon side to the 1984-85 teams. I hope Stants goes on to flick dust back up in the faces of his critics. Now that he has more help around the midfield - he won't get tagged and double teamed quite as much. Expect him to have more consistent stats.

- Nathan Bloomfield (posted 17/01/2012 1:52:23 PM)

Thoroughly support the comments of Dennis Green! Starts gives so much to our Club on every level and deserves everyone's 100% support.

- Graham Flynn (posted 17/01/2012 2:53:36 PM)

Can't believe Stanton is only 25, probably peak at 28. Very happy his still at Essendon. Think the team wasnt that great when he was drafted but now with other guys stepping up, stanton is more than likely to improve. Can't wait for the NAB cup

- Gerard Smith (posted 17/01/2012 3:12:05 PM)

Stants is a champion. No-one works harder at his fitness and condition than he does. Hirdy knew what he was doing when he offerred him the #5 on Hirdy's retirement. The esteem attached to this guernsey continues.

- Rob Carew (posted 17/01/2012 3:37:05 PM)

Watson looks massive in the photo compared to the young kid in the background! :)

- Gerard Smith (posted 17/01/2012 3:51:12 PM)

Here here regarding the positive comments so far, a lot of people under estimate our boy Stants, he's easily one of the most important players in our squad !

- daniel stubbs (posted 17/01/2012 6:53:52 PM)

Make sure you blitz on Anzac day Brent.I'd love to stick it to my Mum's Collingwood supporting Defacto who loves to put it on you.Good luck to you buddy!Have a great season!Go bombers!!

- Mark Elze (posted 17/01/2012 7:24:47 PM)

Will this kick off the annual and ridiculous debate about Brett? I hope not - it was one sided anyway. Alan, GARY and Dennis have already summed it up.

- Kris Bayne (posted 17/01/2012 7:27:23 PM)

Amazing work rate and such a club man. Feel sorry for Kav standing there in the background, looks like a little kid amongst men :p

- Mark Dempsey (posted 17/01/2012 8:56:09 PM)

He could realistically be our next 300 game player. The right attitude towards training and playing, we need players like him, so I hope everyone gets behind him this season, I bet he's someone who opposition coaches have to really worry about.

- Terry Collins (posted 17/01/2012 8:59:34 PM)

Dennis Green you are spot on. That boy puts he's heart and soul on the line for our club every time he steps on the field. His running ability creates space and opportunity for others, and his efforts have a tendency to go unnoticed. He was given the number 5 for a reason.

- James Mantella (posted 17/01/2012 10:05:48 PM)

I am tossing up between Jobe and Stants to put money on for the brownlow.

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 17/01/2012 11:43:19 PM)

A full season out of both first Adrian. This being the case, back the quinella - and we will be deep into Sept. also I'd say.

- Brad Scarr (posted 18/01/2012 10:47:21 AM)

Stants is what I would call a fitness freak, a mighty fine footballer and one hell of a top bloke. Go Stants.

- Cory Williams (posted 18/01/2012 12:05:26 PM)

Anyone who understands Australian football knows that Brent has been one of Essendon's best and most important players for several years.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 18/01/2012 12:57:35 PM)

stants always gets 3 votes in the pre-season

- Leslie Behan (posted 18/01/2012 2:25:29 PM)

Brent has what only a few elite Athletes have, a huge tank, he is not the fastest in the comp. but is still going at a good pace at games end when most others are running up & down in the one spot. Brent has nothing to prove to anyone, on & off the field he is a player every club loves, winning or losing he never gives up & gives every thing he has, similar mould to Fletch, humble, all class no fanfare & will keep going for a long time yet, love these posts about Brent, well said

- Mark McLachlan (posted 18/01/2012 2:46:39 PM)

Cheers Brad, I might take on your tip :)

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 18/01/2012 2:53:06 PM)

Nathan B. that'll be Garry Foulds, but, yeah, he had a slowish start to his career, but was always reliable wherever he played and had a great torp. It was good to see him find his niche and get 300 games and two flags. I think Stants can match him on games and hope he gets more of the latter.

- Kris Bayne (posted 18/01/2012 3:23:40 PM)

A friend who is a Melbourne supporter nominated Stants as one of the first three he would steal from the Dons (Hurley and Watson being the other two). Incredibly valuable midfielder with great football sense. If you notch up 35 possessions every game then a couple of them will go astray, but his disposal is generally very good.

- Luke Smith (posted 18/01/2012 5:42:10 PM)

Very true Luke but some expect him to deliver the same way as Hirdy just because he has the No. 5 on his back. That is the unfair part of it all.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 18/01/2012 7:17:32 PM)

I am so pleased and proud of the support being shown to this player who has never stopped running, even through our darker days. I hope he now receives this wonderful feedback, as I am sure he did when people bagged and derided him not so long ago.

- Wesley Hull (posted 18/01/2012 7:40:41 PM)

Wasn't that long ago Wes,and I will never forget the fight put up by those defending him.. a rare dedicated and gifted sportsman,who chose Football over Golf.. All at Bomberland were all so lucky.. I can retire to Happy Acres now knowing Stants is well and truly loved again by many more appreciative footy and EFC lovers.. Go Bombers :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 19/01/2012 9:39:08 AM)

STANTS FOR VICE- CAPTAIN 2012

- Dyanne Cox (posted 19/01/2012 10:01:59 AM)

No player typifies the Bomber spirit more. The way he shrugged off the naysayers and continued to play great footy. Definitely worthy of life membership of this great club.

- alec shiffman (posted 19/01/2012 10:43:28 AM)

In his prime now, the next 5 years will be Stant's best. Lets hope all have moved on and we are all going in the same direction, been a frustrating rollercoaster the past 10 years. Few others to direct pent up energies at. #9 @ Freo, #12 @ Caaaaarrrrlton to name a few - (without naming them).

- Brad Scarr (posted 19/01/2012 10:46:11 AM)

Before learning about his injuries last season, I was a Stanton knocker. The second half of the season left me with egg on my face! Well done Brent. I agree with the comments below, he is very important and should only get better as the opposition midfield has to start showing other blokes some negative attention.

- Andrew Charlton (posted 19/01/2012 12:33:29 PM)

Is,nt this great, I cannot remember the last time there was a negative post about our number 5. Have we finally got through to those who dont believe Brent Stanton is a very good player and is an Essendon man through and through.

- Bill Carbis (posted 19/01/2012 12:38:20 PM)

The messiah picked him to wear No 5 .... any more comments required. Continue to do the number proud Stants as you have so far....and the best still to come

- john watson (posted 19/01/2012 12:57:33 PM)

I am so proud to be an Essendon supporter,right now. Not because of the way the boys are training or because we support the best team in the world.Its because of all the positive posts, what a delight to read.Stanton is Essendon through & through and gives his heart and soul to this club,just like Welsh did.I am so glad I got to speak to Stants and let him know just how much we did support him throughout last year. Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 20/01/2012 2:46:43 AM)