Brisbane Lions Vice-Captain Pearce Hanley faces six weeks further off the field than first anticipated with a hip injury.

Hanley had surgery on Wednesday after developing soreness in recent weeks, expecting to spend 12 weeks in recovery.

However, the surgery to clean up bone and cartilage in the hip was more extensive once doctors examined the injury.

His recovery timeline is now 18 weeks until Hanley is expected to be back playing, around the middle of the AFL Premiership season.

Lions General Manager, Football Operations, Dean Warren, said the extended time off the field was disappointing but absolutely necessary for Hanley's long-term health.

For updates on Hanley’s recovery, hear from Brett Burton, Elite Performance Manager of the Bupa Support Team at the Lions in the video above.