Rhys blocks external noise
- Updated: September 20, 2022
Rhys Stanley gets a handball away during Geelong’s preliminary final win over the Brisbane Lions. (Sports Media Image/Marcel Berens)
EVEN as recently as last week, Rhys Stanley’s place in the Geelong team was being questioned.
After a modest effort in the qualifying final win over Collingwood, experts and non-experts alike believed Jonathon Ceglar would be the better option if the Cats were to reach and win a grand final.
It was external noise that didn’t concern Stanley, who has become good at only worrying about the opinions of those who count.
And the 31-year-old has a chance to silence the doubters for good if he can help guide Geelong to a first premiership in 11 years when it meets Sydney at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
“I’m concerned about the stuff internally, not externally,” Stanley said. “To be honest, I don’t read a thing. I don’t watch anything; I don’t read it.
“It gets my nose out of joint a bit when I read a lot of it, so I just leave it.
“I think the ones that know are inside the walls here; they’re the ones that I trust and listen to.
“And Scotty’s (coach Chris Scott) been great for me. He’s always had my back, and we’ve got a great relationship.
“Nige Lappin’s done a lot of work with me, and he’s been fantastic as well over the journey.”
Stanley is well aware playing in the ruck is a position that comes with much scrutiny.
That scrutiny is magnified at Geelong, which has had a revolving door of ruckmen since the retirement of Brad Ottens after the 2011 grand final.
“Ruck’s not an easy position to play,” he said. “You’re one out; you’re out there in the middle, and all eyes are on you.
“So, you’ve got to perform. And, when you don’t, it comes under fire.
“It’s been fun, though. I’ve enjoyed it.”
Stanley will face off against another oft-maligned big man at the first bounce, former St Kilda teammate Tom Hickey.
The pair spent two years together at the Saints following the arrival of Hickey from the Gold Coast and before Stanley headed to Kardinia Park.
“I love playing against Tommy,” Stanley said. “He’s a great guy, and we’ve got a great relationship.
“There’s actually a good bit of banter on the field, which is good fun every time I play against Tommy.
“I’m looking forward to the battle; he’s played some great footy over the last couple of years.
“We’ve still got a bunch of mutual mates that are already flicking through the banter, which is good fun.”
Twitter: @krockfootball
