Stanley spent his first AFL season developing with St Kilda's VFL affiliate team
Sandringham. He won the 2009 AFL Grand Final Sprint. In 2010, Stanley played in St Kilda's opening
2010 NAB Cup match against
Collingwood, kicking one goal. On 23 May 2010, he made his official debut in Round 9 of the home and away season in which St Kilda defeated the
West Coast Eagles at
Subiaco. He had nine disposals, three marks, four kicks and five handballs. Stanley played seven games for St Kilda in 2010, with a total of 53 disposals and four goals. From rounds 9 to 14, he played in a tall forward role, helping St Kilda to win all six of these games while the captain,
Nick Riewoldt, recovered from a hamstring tear. Stanley played two games for St Kilda in 2011. ==Career with Geelong (2015–present)==