Several clubs have shown interest in Brisbane midfielder Pearce Hanley, despite the Irishman being under contract at the Gabba, says Jake Niall.
The Fox Footy reporter says while Hanley hasn’t expressed a want to leave, the Lions are prepared to look at anything that could see them receive early picks.
“As yet Pearce Hanley hasn’t said he wants to go but I know this is being very much discussed by Brisbane,” Niall told SEN Breakfast with Frank and Ox.
“They are willing to do it, but they would need a very good draft pick.
“They are trying to get more picks, I believe that will be the direction that when David Noble comes in and is announced as Head of Football they’ll go this way and I assume they will get buy-in from the new coach.
“I think it’s a sound strategy but you need to have the currency to trade a player.”
Niall says a switch to Queensland rival Gold Coast is a possibility, but clubs in Victoria are keeping an eye out.
“Pearce Hanley is 27…but he’s a guy who plays predominately outside, isn’t banged up, came over a bit late and didn’t play for quite a long time,” he said.
“If you compared him say to Brett Deledio it’s not a dissimilar situation except that he’s younger and I think he’s a little less fabric at his club.
“Gold Coast are a bit interested, they have a lot of draft picks, but there are other clubs, including ones down here that would have a serious look at it.”
He believes that were Hanley to depart it could help fasten up the speed of their rebuild and likened it to when Brendon Goddard departed St Kilda via free agency.
“History tells you that clubs that do this, they get out the older player and accelerate the rebuild and get more talent in a cluster…tend to get much more momentum upwardly as they come up,” said Niall.
“It’s a very similar situation to a Brendon Goddard or Nick Dal Santo.
“I would say the Brendon Goddard decision he was more of a fabric player at the Saints than Hanley is at the Lions and St Kilda got (Tom) Hickey for him who’s becoming one of the best ruckmen in the competition.
“Clubs that are brave in their list management tend to do better.”