MAYO’S PEARCE HANLEY reaches a special milestone this weekend in Australia as he is set to make his 150th appearance in the AFL on Sunday.
Hanley has been selected for Gold Coast Suns for Sunday’s clash against Adelaide Crows (6.40am Irish time) in what will be a landmark game for the 30-year-old.
And to mark the occasion his club produced this special tribute video with Hanley’s family and friends, including his brother Cian and fellow Mayo footballers Andy Moran and David Drake, saluting him for his achievement.
What an achievement @pearcehanley Show off that side step at the weekend champ https://t.co/fG3VRBtzH3
— Andy Moran (@andypmoran) April 18, 2019
Hanley will become the fifth Irish player to reach that landmark with Laois man Zach Tuohy the most recent when he achieved it with Geelong twelve months ago.
Great video!! Congrats on the 150 @pearcehanley ! Massive achievement after the injuries you have endured the last few years!! Top man!! https://t.co/5TzWKCLZpD
— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) April 19, 2019
Late Melbourne team-mates Jim Stynes and Sean Wight made 264 and 150 appearances respectively while Tadhg Kennelly played 197 times for Sydney Swans.
Hanley began his AFL career in 2008 after joining the Brisbane Lions, going on to play 129 games for the club before he moved to Gold Coast Suns at the close of the 2016 season.
Last year the Ballaghaderreen native found his campaign disrupted by injury as he damaged his shoulder and hamstring but he has returned to action this season, lining out and helping Gold Coast Suns claim three victories in their four games to date.
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