MAYO NATIVE PEARCE Hanley has completed his AFL trade to Queensland rivals Gold Coast Suns, ending his eight-year spell at the Brisbane Lions.<\/p>\n
Hanley, 27, has consistently been one of the best players for the struggling Lions in recent seasons, playing 129 first-grade games for the club.<\/p>\n
Former DCU student Hanley joined the Lions as a rookie pick in 2008 before being upgraded to the senior list the following year.<\/p>\n
The Ballaghaderreen\u00a0man, whose brother Cian is still on the books at the Lions, moves 80km south down the Queensland coast to the Metricon Stadium.<\/p>\n
Hanley\u2019s deal is part of a three-way trade that also involves Port Adelaide, and sees the halfback\/midfielder switch clubs and the three franchises swap draft picks.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority during the exchange period has been to add mature-aged talent that could make an immediate impact at our football club, and Pearce certainly fits that criteria,\u201d Gold Coast football boss Marcus Ashcroft said.<\/p>\n
\n1\/2 Very big thank you to everyone and anyone who has helped me along this amazing journey at the lions but that chapter has come to an end<\/p>\n
— pearce hanley (@pearcehanley) October 18, 2016<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Source: pearce hanley\/Twitter\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n2\/2 and now Im excited to get started at the Suns and earn the respect off my new team mates. Can't wait to grab this opportunity \ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udffb<\/p>\n
— pearce hanley (@pearcehanley) October 18, 2016<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Source: pearce hanley\/Twitter\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\nWelcome to the Gold Coast, @pearcehanley!<\/p>\n
MORE: https:\/\/t.co\/daifxSMWVJ pic.twitter.com\/UPD9EAJq3W<\/p>\n
— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) October 17, 2016<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Source: GC SUNS\/Twitter\n <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Brisbane finished 17th of the 18 teams in the AFL ladder last season, while the Suns ended the campaign in 15th.<\/p>\n
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