GOLD Coast utility Danny Stanley is set to continue his career at the Suns after being offered a new two-year deal by the club.
The 24-year-old - who spent four seasons at Collingwood for five senior games before coming to the Suns - has not signed the contract yet, but is expected to shortly.
Stanley finished third in the club's best and fairest in 2012 after a wretched start to the season.
A bulging disc in his back hampered his pre-season, he was then suspended for the first two rounds by the club for a traffic offence, and missed more footy early in the year through a bad thigh injury.
But once getting on the field in round eight, Stanley never looked back, playing 13 of the final 15 matches.
"He played at a high level for those games and the output was fantastic so we think he deserves to be here for longer," general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.
"We're pretty confident Danny will accept it (contract) but we have to wait and see.
"It's a good reward. He's had two good years. He finished top-five in the best and fairest in 2011 and top three this year, so it's just reward for his performance and we think he can play to that level for the next two years and hopefully beyond."
Stanley has been somewhat of a Mr Fix-It and spent much of 2012 roaming around in the back half after being the club's leading goalkicker in 2011.
His mature body and professional work ethic complements the Suns' young list well.
"We need players like Danny, who will be three of four years older than our younger guys, to help them get through the season and help them with his leadership," Ashcroft said.
Meanwhile it appears Mav Weller will remain a Sun, while the future of Josh Toy still remains in the balance.
Ashcroft said the club was yet to make a definitive decision on either of the out-of-contract duo and it may take some time yet.
However, he said Weller was settled on the Gold Coast and the club was happy with his back half of 2012.
"I think we'd like to go forward with Mav," Ashcroft said.
"I think Mav is pretty settled up here with his girlfriend and likes being part of the club.
"He played 28 games in two years which is a pretty good return. I think his consistency went up this year and he really matured."
Ashcroft said there was a lot of interest in Toy from Victorian club, and the Suns would carefully consider their options.
"Because players are out of contract. [Gillette AFL Trade Period] facilitates discussion from other clubs, so I think to be fair to Josh we listen to all parties," he said.
"Josh is obviously involved in that. We have to sit down and listen to all clubs, and Josh, and work out what's going to be best with him going forward and that's where it's at with him.
"We'd like to have decisions on those players sooner rather than later but with the trade period going so long, unfortunately clubs don't move as fast as you'd like.
"We continue to hold discussions, but they're pretty slow."
Michael Whiting covers Gold Coast news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
