Introduction The Lions’ Irish recruit Pearce Hanley has quickly developed a taste for Australian Rules football since arriving in Brisbane at the end of 2007. He is a quick and good-sized midfielder/half-back who – in only a short period of time – has become highly skilled with the oval shaped ball. Background • Hanley hails from the small dairy town of Ballaghaderreen in County Mayo, Ireland where he played Gaelic football and regularly watched his homeland heroes play in the AFL on television. • He represented Ireland in the hybrid 2006 U17 International Rules Series in Fremantle where he first shot to prominence by winning the Ron Barassi Medal as Ireland’s best player. • After catching the eyes of the Club’s recruiting staff, Hanley was signed by the Lions on a two-year International Rookie contract at the end of 2007. 2008 • The 18 year-old – who hadn’t touched an AFL football until November 2007 – spent much of his first pre-season learning the basic Australian Rules skills with some help from fellow Irish co-patriot Colm Begley. • Hanley began his football apprenticeship with the Suncoast Lions reserves side and despite being a little rusty with some of the rules, showed he had the athleticism and ability to play this previously foreign game. • He injured his quad early in the AFLQ season which sidelined him for the better part of three months, which stunted his development. • He returned from injury in blistering form and within a month was knocking on the door of senior selection. • When Nigel Lappin was placed on the long-term injured list, Hanley was temporarily elevated to the senior list and immediately broke through for his debut senior match in Round 21 at the Gabba against Carlton. • He collected 10 disposals in the team’s loss to Carlton and retained his spot for the Lions’ final match of the season against Sydney at the SCG when he had an impressive 17 touches. 2009 • With more than 12 months of AFL training and experience to his name, International Rookie Hanley was looking forward to becoming a more regular fixture in the Lions' senior side.  • However, soft tissues injuries including a troublesome quad limited his opportunities in the first half of the season. It seemed that every time he recovered and was on the verge of senior selection, he would suffer another setback. • He eventually found his way into the senior team by Round 17 against North Melbourne at the Gabba. However, a tweaked hamstring made him unavailable for the following week's fixture. • He was elevated to the Club's senior list in April replacing young draftee Kieran King who was placed on the long-term injury list.
• However, soft tissues injuries including a troublesome hamstring limited his opportunities in the first half of the season. It seemed that every time he recovered and was on the verge of senior selection, he would suffer another setback. • He eventually found his way into the senior team by Round 17 against North Melbourne at the Gabba. However, a tweaked hamstring made him unavailable for the following week's fixture. • Despite an injury ravaged second season that produced just one senior match, Hanley was permanently elevated to the Club's senior list during the 2009 post-season. The good news made the Irishman more determined to add to his three senior AFL matches in 2010.
2010 • Hanley started the 2010 season strongly for the Lions Reserves. He was among the best on ground in the Lions round 2 clash against Morningside, keeping a tight lid on 2009 leading goalkicker Darren Ewing. • Hanley got his first call-up for the senior side in round 7 against Fremantle, but returned to the Reserves the next round. • He returned for the seniors again to take on St Kilda in round 15, and remained part of the Lions’ defence for the remainder of the season. • It was a deserving end to the year for the Irishman, who brought up his total AFL games to 12. 2011 • Following the off-season departure of Justin Sherman, Hanley inherited the Lions' famous Number 11 guernsey in the hope that a change in jumper could bring a change in luck for the Irishman. • His fortunes definitely improved in 2011, as he put behind him those frustrating soft tissue injuries to find a permanent position in the Lions' back six and establish himself as one of competition's most promising running defenders.  • He was named in the Lions' senior team from Round 1 and went on to be one of only five players to feature in all 22 matches throughout the season. • Hanley seemed to achieve career-best figures every second week and maintained a high level of consistency throughout the season. In fact, he collected 20 or more disposals in 12 of his 22 senior matches, including a career best 30-possession effort against eventual Premiers Geelong at the Gabba in Round 17. • By season's end, he led the Club in total marks (130), rebound 50s (116) and running bounces (38), and was rewarded for his breakthrough season by the Match Committee with an equal fourth placing in the Club Champion award. • During the off-season, Hanley represented Ireland in the 2011 International Rules Series.
Pearce Hanley is improving every week and showing that he belongs in the big leagueMonday, May 16, 2011 - 12:06PM
The rejuvenation of the Brisbane Lions side continues as the club announces more list changes Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 3:09PM
Pearce Hanley speaks exclusively to BLTV.Tuesday, August 04, 2009 - 2:02PM
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