Pearce Hanley, formerly of Mayo and currently of the Brisbane Lions, was named the 37th best player in the AFL in the run-up to the start of the 2015 season.
However, one of the AFL's most decorated Irish recruits believes 37th is all wrong. Tadhg Kennelly believes he should be even higher.
Kennelly insists that Hanley 'should be in the top 25 players' describing him as 'the best player at the Lions.'
Hanley featured for Mayo in the 2007 Senior Football Championship before being signed by Brisbane Lions later that year. He made his debut in 2008.
His performance levels reached new highs in the 2014 season and he has been described by AFL.com as the Lions' 'most damaging player' who is capable of winning games 'single-handedly'.
The Lions endured a poor 2014 season, finishing 15th out of 18 on the AFL ladder, but Hanley emerged as a shining light. Unfortunately, he is currently laid low with a hip injury and is expected to miss the first half of the upcoming season.
Kennelly is confident that Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett Jr. will be named at No. 1 in the AFL listings.
