It has been a shocking season for the Brisbane Lions. After 15 games, they have won just one and are second from bottom of the AFL ladder.
Pearce Hanley - the Ballaghaderreen man - has been one of their better players. Still, the frustration of Brisbane's poor season appeared to get to Hanley a fortnight ago. During a game against Richmond Tigers, which the Lions lost by 42 points, Hanley was heavily criticised by commentators for having a 'poor attitude' during the game.
Following the weekend, where Brisbane lost to the Gold Coast Suns, Hanley is again in the news Down Under. This time though, it is not for his actions - or inaction - in the oval.
According to Michael Gleeson on The Age, Hanley is being investigated by his club for a 'UFC-inspired pub stoush'. That's a fight for anyone who has not spent time in Australia or New Zealand.
Hanley was apparently is a Queensland pub on Sunday - with his mother - and a large group of friends watching UFC 200. Following the co-main event between Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt, Hanley and a friend began that classic schoolyard pastime of play-fighting. Apparently it escalated into more. This all happened at around five o'clock in the evening. It is unclear if alcohol was involved or not.
Brisbane became aware of the incident due to it being described as a 'significant disturbance'. They are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the hotel where the fracas took place.
The 27-year-old was not injured and trained as usual on Tuesday.
Hanley's time in the AFL has been the most major Irish success since Tadhg Kennelly. Last year, he was named as the 37th best player in Aussie Rules.
h/t Mark Geary
Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE
