Saints secure pick 21 from Geelong as Rhys Stanley heads to the Cattery
St Kilda and Geelong have finalised a trade sending tall forward Rhys Stanley and pick No.60 to the Cats in exchange for pick No.21 in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft.
After talks between the clubs on Tuesday, the deal was finalised on Wednesday, with the Saints now holding back-to-back picks at the end of the first round (No.21 and No.22).
The Cats, who received pick No.21 from the Brisbane Lions on Monday in exchange for midfielder Allen Christensen, have been active in pursuing more tall talent to support key forward Tom Hawkins.
They secured former Melbourne tall Mitch Clark on Wednesday in a three-way deal that sent premiership Cat Travis Varcoe to Collingwood.
The athletic Stanley, who won the Grand Final sprint in 2009, is capable of rotating in the ruck or playing in defence. He has played 58 games in six seasons.
His 2014 campaign was inconsistent and the 23-year-old was dropped to the VFL mid-season for three weeks.
He was a star against Fremantle in round 18, however, showing his potential as a second forward alongside captain Nick Riewoldt in a brilliant performance, taking 14 marks and kicking three goals.
Stanley signed a three-year contract halfway through the 2012 season, leaving the Saints with one year remaining on his contract.
VFL R6 wrap: Zebras hold off Roos in dramatic finish
North Melbourne has suffered its third consecutive defeat, losing to Sandringham by three points in a thrilling finish on Sunday afternoon
VFLW R7 wrap: Kangas down Saints in nail-biter
North Melbourne's VFLW side has returned to the winners list, overcoming the Saints in a thrilling contest to triumph by one point at Trevor Barker Beach Oval
AFL R8 match report: Saints run down Roos
St Kilda has overcome a sluggish start to breathe some life into its season with a 38-point win over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, handing the Kangaroos their eighth defeat of the year
AFL R8 Mazda Excellence Award: Vote to win!
Who was your best North Melbourne player against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium?