Sunny side up for AFL ace Pearce
better this year and I’ve trained how I want to play and that’s with intensity and I’m going to show that this year.” Hanley, 28, is aiming to hit the ground running when the Suns host the Lions in Saturday’s season opening derby (Qclash) at Metricon Stadium. The Ballaghaderreen man has saved his most memorable performances in previous Qclashes for the Lions, winning two Marcus Ashcroft-man of the match-medals. “I want to make a statement and show them my best football is in front of me and that is going to start hopefully against Brisbane and then I want to push on and have a great year,’’ he said. “There is no ill will towards Brisbane but yeah I hope I do play well and we get a good win. “I would be flattered if I was tagged [man marked], there are better players on the Suns team than me so I would be very flattered.” MAYO’S Pearce Hanley believes the best is yet to come in his AFL career as he embarks on season 2017 with new club The Gold Coast Suns. By his own admission the former Brisbane Lions vicecaptain endured a disappointing 2016 campaign for the bottom side, but having made the switch to local rivals the Suns, he is hoping to play finals football for the first time in his near decadelong Australian rules career. The Suns only joined the league in 2011, but have never finished higher than 12th in six seasons. Only the top eight sides are eligible for September’s finals. “I think I underestimated the effect my hip operations had on me last year,” said Hanley, who made an impressive Suns debut against the Lions in last month’s pre-season competition. “I feel much