Danny Stanley Biography

Danny Stanley's career is over, with the Suns opting not to renew his contract for 2017.

Stanley failed to add to his 88 games this season. He had been delisted at the end of 2015 and placed on the rookie list for this season.

Danny Stanley is delisted by Gold Coast, although the Suns have committed to re-drafting Stanley in the rookie draft with their last selection.

Danny Stanley signs on for a further two years with Gold Coast.

After playing five games in four seasons at Collingwood, his young AFL career looked washed up when he was delisted in 2009 but was thrown a lifeline by the Suns.

"Through the transition stage at Collingwood he just never got the opportunity," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"Then (Scott) Pendlebury and (Dale) Thomas came in and he was fighting Scott Burns and Nathan Buckley and Paul Licuria and 'Dutchie' (Brodie) Holland for a game at Collingwood.

"He was such a good junior and probably couldn't understand why he wasn't getting a game. You go from a really good junior player into a strong AFL side … and some high draft picks jumped ahead of him and he got disillusioned.

"He's not one to give up easily, I saw that from an early age."

Jarrod Harbrow, Danny Stanley and Alex Sexton sign new contracts to remain with Gold Coast.

"The first couple of years were challenging, but the team is going in the right direction," Harbrow said.

"We've got a really good group who are desperate for Gold Coast to succeed."

Gold Coast has continued to shore up its list after re-signing Mav Weller, Liam Patrick and Danny Stanley.

Kyal Horsley has also been elevated to the senior list.

Gold Coast has offered utility Danny Stanley a new two-year contract after his impressive form in the 2012 season.

"He played at a high level for those games and the output was fantastic so we think he deserves to be here for longer," Suns general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"It's a good reward. He's had two good years. He finished top-five in the best and fairest in 2011 and top three this year, so it's just reward for his performance and we think he can play to that level for the next two years and hopefully beyond."

Gold Coast midfielder Danny Stanley admits he lost belief in himself when sidelined with a back injury.

With the injury being a niggly one, it wasn't anything serious so there was no timeframe, which was probably the most frustrating part," Stanley said.

"I just had to do everything I could to manage it and once I got on top of that then it was a matter of breaking back into the side which was also pretty frustrating, but I worked hard and strung a couple of good games together in the twos and was lucky enough to get picked."

After spending four years in the AFL system mostly spent at the Magpies, Danny Stanley is relishing his opportunities with Gold Coast.

"I always believed in myself that I could play at the highest level," Stanley said.

"Unfortunately at Collingwood that wasn't to be, but I always knew in myself that I was good enough. It was a bit of a kick in the guts being delisted but I just had to keep really positive and now it's turned out for the better."

Collingwood has delisted five players as they prepare for next month's draft including Chris Bryan and Danny Stanley along with rookie list players Toby Thoolen, Johnny Bennell and Kevin Dyas.