Hip issue obviously wasn't from body contact. Barely win a contested possession to save himself.
Seriously though, as much as I appreciate everything that Stanton has done for Essendon, I think it is time to move on.
He may have a reasonable year or 2 at another club but for too long now he has been well below what we need with speed and endurance.
Running laps around the tan in great times does not compare to getting bumped and tackled.
He does not put his body on the line too often and instead of trying to win possession he concedes it and then tries to tackle.
Regardless of his Hip injury for the last few weeks this is his temperament. He can slot a goal from time to time but it is normally off the great work from people down field and he is the bloke that has luckily found himself free at the right time.
Personally I don't see us improving enough to challenge for a flag as long as we have players like Stanton and possibly howlett taking up spots in our 22 most weeks.
We need to get blokes like for example Brad Hill, Isaac Smith that run all day but are pretty quick also. Stanton always looks tired and is as slow as a wet week. His skills are below average and does not run both ways. His position to me definitely is one that needs to be upgraded.
Forget playing him as a half forward he is not a good enough mark or lead.
Forget playing him across half back because one thing is for sure I would not count on him having enough mongrel and urgency to be reliable down there.
Shoot me down, call me what you like, this is my opinion and the opinion of many long time Essendon and Football followers in general that I know.