When Pearce Hanley departed Brisbane for the short trip south to the Gold Coast Suns, he left another Hanley behind at the club - his brother Cian.
Cian Hanley joined Brisbane just over two years ago. He did so with a broken leg, sustained during Mayo's All-Ireland minor semi-final loss to Kerry in 2014.
Due to injury, the 20-year-old is yet to make an appearance for Brisbane. Still, he hopes to follow the path his brother has already taken. A step on that path is filling the number 11 shirt which Pearce wore at the club.
He told the Herald Sun:
I always thought I would love to play alongside him and one day take his number, but things don’t always work out how you want them to.
I understand Pearce needed a fresh start but this feels like a fresh start too.
There’s a bunch of new blokes come in, a new coach and I’m back on the track.
Both Cian and Pearce return home this Christmas to see their younger brother Tommy who is ill. Brisbane offered Cian extra time at home due to his brother's illness (as did Gold Coast Sun to Pearce) however, feeling the need to get the 2017 season off to the best start, Cian declined the offer.
It is tough.
I am excited to be going home to see him; he is a tough little man.
The club have been very good to me.
They have offered me time as well, but I am coming back before the start of the pre-season.
I really want to give this a good crack and I haven’t had the chance to prove myself yet.
