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After a straight sets exit from the 2014 finals series, Geelong had an active trade and free agency period. Once the services of Mitch Clark were secured, a trade that sent pick 21 to St Kilda and saw Rhys Stanley ($384,000 forward in AFL Fantasy Classic) arrive at Geelong was brokered.

Stanley was drafted with the 47^th pick in the 2008 draft by St Kilda. He joined the club with the expectation that he would fill the role of a pacey tall forward alongside Nick Riewoldt. 

The 200cm, South Australian product battled two separate hamstring injuries in 2012 and again in 2013 had an interrupted season due to two serious injuries. Despite this, Stanley finished the 2013 season ranked first at St Kilda for one percenters. It was a year where he spent significant game time in defence covering the loss of injured stars, Sam Gilbert and Sam Fisher.

The positive for Geelong after acquiring Rhys Stanley is that he is entering what should be the prime of his career. 24 years of age and with just over 50 games of AFL experience it is now the most common timeframe to when players are ripe for a 'breakout' season. Given consistency in his fitness this year, you can expect to see a rise in his AFL Fantasy output.

Stanley was recruited as a much needed tall forward and will compete with the likes Mitch Clark, Josh Walker and Shane Kersten for that second or even third, tall forward role. Chris Scott has however confirmed that Stanley is earmarked for a ruck/forward role in 2015. At 200cm and 96kg Geelong are confident that Stanley can compete against the game's giants as he has done in the past.

2014 was Stanley's best year to date; he averaged 67.8 fantasy points for the season and has plenty of room for improvement. His statistics for that year are moderate, averaging 11.2 disposals and just under a goal a game but his best is exciting. 

St Kilda's round 18 win over Fremantle last year saw Stanley put in one of his best all round efforts. He started the game lining up at full forward and played the back-up ruck role. Against one of the better defenders in the competition he had 19 disposals, took 14 marks and booted three goals. Add 13 hit-outs to those stats and Stanley had amassed an AFL Fantasy score of 135 points.

Stanley is not only a swift tall man; he is a more than capable mobile forward. He has strong hands both on the lead and in the air, he's very powerful overhead, his leading capacity is near elite nearly in the mould of his former captain Nick Riewoldt, and with a long and accurate kick he is reliable around the arc. 

When it comes to AFL Fantasy Classic, Stanley is priced in the mid-range as a forward at $384,000. He will compete for positions in your fantasy team with the likes of second year Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli, Collingwood young gun Taylor Adams and Sydney's breakout contender Tom Mitchell. With Geelong having the last of the three bye rounds, round 13, he could be a solid option with plenty of upside at his new club.

Given his new surroundings, and an expected greater win/loss record, he may prove strong value in draft competitions. As a late round selection in fantasy drafts, he could net you valuable points as a forward and if he can spend a bit of time in the ruck with Geelong, he could finish the year with an extremely valuable dual position status.