Brent Stanton Biography

Brent Stanton is relieved to finally reach the 250 game milestone after a one-year ban from Essendon's supplements scandal temporarily derailed his career.

"There were always doubts, especially over the last four years [given] what individuals have been through," Standon said.

"The footy club has done a fantastic job of reintegrating us in the way they have, and we're very excited to be able to move on with football now."

Brent Stanton believes the year he and his fellow suspended Bomber teammates spent out of the game will assist in extending their careers.

"We tried to make this (experience) into a positive and most of the players have found out a lot about themselves," Stanton said in an interview on SEN.

"There's not too many opportunities in your career where you can step away from something that you love and reflect on what you've done over the past 12 years, five years or for however long you've been playing.

"That's enlightened the players a lot on how to get the best out of themselves for however long their career is."

Brent Stanton has become the seventh suspended Bomber to commit to returning to the club in 2017 on a one-year deal.

Banned Essendon veteran Brent Stanton says he has not decided his intentions for next season after declaring his strong bond with the club.

"I've been there (from) the day I turned 18 years old so it's going to be hard (not to return) – I've spent almost half my life there," Stanton said.

"I bleed red and black, and that's what I know and where I know to go. Pretty much I get in my car and my car almost takes me there straight away."

Stanton said he was leaning towards resuming his AFL career next season, but acknowledged the mental challenge ahead of him.

"I've still got a decision to make over the next three or four months. I'm probably going to head away in July with the family and just take a break," Stanton said.

"Mentally is the biggest challenge, you sit back and you wonder if you've still got it … that long period of time (away) is something that you've really got to get over and the circumstances play a part in that as well."

Essendon's worst fears have been realised with the Court of Arbitration for Sport finding 34 past and present players guilty of taking banned substance Thymosin Beta-4 and suspending them for the entire 2016 season.

Twelve players still on the Bombers' list and five now at other AFL clubs who took part in Essendon's 2012 supplements program have been hit with two-year bans beginning on March 31 last year.

However, most of the suspensions will come to an end on November 13 this year, taking into account provisional suspensions already served.

Bombers skipper Jobe Watson, vice-captain Dyson Heppell, reigning club champion Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Travis Colyer, Michael Hibberd, Ben Howlett, David Myers, Brent Stanton and Tayte Pears will all miss the Bombers' 2016 campaign.

The guilty decision impacts four other AFL clubs with former Essendon players on their lists, with Jake Carlisle (St Kilda), Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs), Jake Melksham (Melbourne), Angus Monfries and Patrick Ryder (Port Adelaide) to be sidelined for the season.

Former Essendon players Mark McVeigh and Brent Prismall are set to be suspended from their respective roles at Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs until November 13 as support staff are banned from any WADA-complaint sports under the sanctions.

McVeigh is an assistant coach at the Giants, while Prismall is a player wellbeing and welfare manager with the Bulldogs.

Essendon champion and former club coach James Hird slammed the guilty verdict and suspensions.

"I am shocked by this decision," Hird said in a statement.

"I firmly believe the players do not deserve this finding.

"They do not deserve to face a twelve-month suspension from the sport. This is a miscarriage of justice for 34 young men."

Brent Stanton has played in just five finals for only one victory – over Melbourne in 2004, his first season at the club – since he was drafted with pick No.13 in 2003.

But with a resolution to the supplements saga finally within sight and with new coach John Worsfold at the helm, Stanton believes the Dons can rapidly turn their fortunes around after a dismal 2015.

"I was pretty excited when I first got drafted to come to the Essendon Football Club that it's always bred success previously and unfortunately we haven't been able to provide that to our supporters and fans," the 248-game veteran said.

"But I think there's an opportunity here right now, it's pretty exciting with the mix and the age demographic that we have, that we can bounce back very quickly.

"I just want to have a lot of team success and hopefully get this club back up – rebuild or regenerate, whichever word you want to use – to hopefully get that success for players like Jobe (Watson) and these guys who haven't had a lot since we've been here."

Brent Stanton will continue his career under an eighth Bombers coach after signing a new deal at the end of the trade period.

Stanton had been briefly linked to a move away from the Bombers but has re-signed to play under new boss John Worsfold in 2016.

"I'm confident we have the right players on our list to build a period of sustained success, we're a better team than what we showed last season and we know to improve it's going to take a lot of hard work over the summer," he said.

David Zaharakis has returned to Essendon's leadership group, in one of three additions to the squad for this season.

The midfielder was left out of last year's group but has been voted back in after working hard during the season to improve his leadership.

All Australian defender Cale Hooker and veteran forward Paul Chapman have been included in the Bombers' group for the first time, joining Zaharakis as the new faces.

Captain Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard, Brent Stanton, David Myers and Dyson Heppell make up the eight-man team.

"All three players really proved themselves as leaders around the club over the past 12 months, and to be voted in by your peers is a huge show of confidence in their leadership," Watson said.

"'Hooksy', 'Chappy' and 'Zacka' will all bring a unique and versatile skill set to the leadership group; while as a collective, we will continue to drive the standards we expect of our teammates."

Brendan Goddard along with Jason Winderlich and Dyson Heppell, is elevated into the Bomber's leadership group which also includes reigning Brownlow medallist and captain Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking, Michael Hurley and David Zaharakis.

Essendon and star midfielder Brent Stanton are close to inking a contract extension.

"'Stants' knows that from our perspective we want his future to be at the club," Bombers chief executive Ian Robson told the Herald Sun.

"We want him to be a one-club player and a premiership player for our club, and I am sure things will be worked out pretty soon."

Brent Stanton and Jobe Watson - the Bombers' zig and zag - are developing a formidable midfield partnership.

After seven games, both have had 204 disposals at an average of 29 per game and sit comfortably in the top 10 of all players for most disposals.

"We've worked pretty closely together for a fair while now and he's such a fantastic player and fantastic leader as well," Stanton said.

"You try and suck as much information out of him as possible and no doubt you become a much better player for it."

After 39 possessions, 17 marks and a 193 Dream Team points, Brent Stanton breaks the record for most Dream Team points scored.

"Stanton's effort was incredible and reinforced his standing as one of the premier Dream Team midfielders in the competition," AFL.com.au Dream Team guru Dr Dream Team said.

"His ability to run himself into the ground and rack up marks and kicks was extraordinary, and delighted every coach who has him in their team."

Bomber Brent Stanton has taken positives from 2011 despite being subjected to rough treatment by some club fans in round eight.

"The coaches and my teammates were fantastic in the way they supported me through that, but that's just a part of football, you go through ups and downs," he said.

"To get through that and play some consistent footy through the rest of the year was great. As long as my coaches and teammates were happy with how I was going, that was the most important thing."

David Zaharakis wins Essendon's best and fairest award after polling 332 votes ahead of Brent Stanton with 313 votes.

"David has had an outstanding year this season and has developed into a really important player for the team," Essendon coach James Hird said.

"David was able to spend more time through the midfield this year and to his credit, made the most of every opportunity. He has an incredible work ethic and an abundance of talent and to have a Crichton Medal to his name after only three seasons at the club is a sign of things to come."

Essendon assistant Mark Thompson says Brent Stanton has the support of the coaches despite fans jeering the midfielder on Sunday.

"I thought most of the things we've done this year have been pretty positive. From the coaches' perspective, from Hirdy down, we all love what Brent Stanton does for the team," Thompson said.

"He's a leader of the team, he takes people with him, he trains exceptionally well. We rate him as one of our best players, so to think our supporters would cheer him [being subbed off] amazes me."

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd is critical of Bomber supporterswho cheered after Brent Stanton was substitued from the ground after being concussed against West Coast.

"They've been on this bloke's back now for a number of years, having played with the guy (he's) the best runner, best trainer, one of the hardest workers going around," Lloyd said.

"He's not the type of player some people like because he can be outside, and he can kick a few on the full ... but he also has a lot of upside."

Brent Stanton has put his hand up to captain Essendon following club champion Matthew Lloyd's retirement.

"It would be fantastic. I think it's every kid's dream and it's something I personally aspire to," Stanton said.

"It would be a great privilege to do that."

Essendon could regain onballer Brent Stanton for Friday night's NAB Cup semi- final against Collingwood.

Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton will miss next week's Darwin NAB Cup clash against the Western Bulldogs with a minor quad strain.