Brent Stanton signs on with NFL club Banyule after decorated 255-game AFL career at Essendon

ESSENDON great Brent Stanton has announced where he will play in 2018 with his club of choice set to surprise many.

Essendon great Brent Stanton, flanked by Darcy Parish and David Zaharakis, has signed with Banyule. Picture: Darren England.

BANYULE is ready to make a splash in its promotion to Northern Football League Division 2 after securing the signature of former junior star and Essendon great Brent Stanton.

A veteran of 255 AFL games, it is believed Stanton knocked back significant interest from Division 1 premier Bundoora to play with his old club.

Brent Stanton spent 14 years at Essendon. Picture: AAP

Stanton celebrates a goal on Anzac Day. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The 31-year-old was a consistent presence for the Bombers over 14 years before announcing his retirement in August.

Stanton has also joined AFL club Carlton as a development coach, so his game time will be limited around his coaching commitments, but Banyule head coach Peter Davey said the signing was a big coup for the club.

“Carlton will be his priority because that is his career but having spoken to him we expect to get a fair chunk of time out of him,” Davey said.

“The club had said to him the door was always open to come back if he wanted to and with the Carlton stuff it might have just worked out for us, which is great.”

Stanton won seven junior best and fairests for the Bears and is a life member of the club.

Being a junior club player, Stanton will be allocated as a one point player for this year’s Division 3 premier.

He has already put his hand up to help out with coaching and will take sessions over the summer months.

“He’s going to run a bit of pre-season which is great for me and the guys so they don’t just zone out listening to me talk all the time,” Davey said

“He’s got a great presence about him and he’s a really good person so it will be a great benefit to the club.

“We have a young core of guys who he will help along even just with his direction on the field and his demeanour.”