Since crossing from the Lions, Pearce Hanley has struggled with body and off-field issues. A severely corked thigh suffered against the Demons in round 8 continued the veteran's bad luck, sidelining him for five weeks. The Irishman improved on return, averaging 21 touches and five marks, including 34 disposals and 11 marks against the Hawks in round 22. Hanley showed late season signs of a return to form in a sweeping role across the wing. However, with a durability record that has seen more missed games than appearances over the past three seasons and now the wrong side of 30, the former Gaelic player is a high-risk fantasy asset. Avoid temptation until the latter mid rounds.
Pearce can cause damage
Since crossing from the Lions, Pearce Hanley has struggled with body and off-field issues. A severely corked thigh suffered against the Demons in round 8 continued the veteran's bad luck, sidelining him for five weeks. The Irishman improved on return, averaging 21 touches and five marks, including 34 disposals and 11 marks against the Hawks in round 22. Hanley showed late season signs of a return to form in a sweeping role across the wing. However, with a durability record that has seen more missed games than appearances over the past three seasons and now the wrong side of 30, the former Gaelic player is a high-risk fantasy asset. Avoid temptation until the latter mid rounds.
No luck for this Irishman
Three of the last four seasons have been injury-ruined for Pearce Hanley, with a second shoulder dislocation the major problem last year. His role has sometimes drifted from defence to a wing, though it's hard to tell sometimes when the Suns play most of their footy in the back half. At his best he can average close to a fantasy ton, though he may have lost a yard of his trademark pace at this late stage of his career. Hanley may even go undrafted in your league as he is a bit of a forgotten man, but that would be a mistake. Granted, it seems sometimes that he must have kicked a leprechaun, such is the length of his injury history. He is now one of the elder statesmen of this youth-filled Suns playing group, and as such they will look to him on-field as much as anyone. Anything more than a late pick would be unwarranted, nevertheless.
