In 2007, Pearce was signed by the Brisbane Lions, and put on the rookie list with a view of converting him to Australian rules football.

[5] At the Lions, he was mentored by fellow Irishman Colm Begley who had previously played with the club for a season.

Called up by coach Leigh Matthews, he made his debut in the final Lions home match in 2008 against the Carlton Football Club in front of a crowd of 35,000 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, replacing Begley in the side.

Hanley went on to become an integral part of the Lions' side as a highly damaging rebound defender.

In round 18, 2014 in QClash8 Hanley amassed a whopping 44 touches and won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal.