Brisbane midfielder Pearce Hanley set to join the Gold Coast Suns

UPDATE: GOLD Coast has secured Brisbane defender Pearce Hanley but only after a ringing endorsement from former teammate Michael Rischitelli.

Pearce Hanley has joined the Gold Coast Suns. Picture: Michael Klein

PEARCE Hanley has joined the Suns after receiving a character endorsement from the club’s cultural guardian Michael Rischitelli.

Hanley has been the most dominant figure in the short QClash history and his defection is sure to add another layer of tension to next year’s Queensland derbies.

Brisbane’s willingness to part company with its most damaging player raised concerns that he had off-field issues and his professionalism was questioned throughout a difficult final year at the Lions, where it is believed he fell out with former coach Justin Leppitsch.

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The Suns sought the opinion of Rischitelli, a former teammate of Hanley’s at Brisbane, before offering him a three-year deal to head down the M1.

It was the word of Richitelli, the last player to leave the Lions for Gold Coast, that convinced the Suns there was no baggage attached to Hanley.

Rischitelli emerged as the strongest figure at the Gold Coast throughout the cultural issues last year that led to the departures of Harley Bennell and Charlie Dixon.

Pearce Hanley will be traded to the Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Images

The Suns have pulled off a trade heist with the deal for a player that has been a major thorn in their side and who can fill the position left vacant by the departure of Dion Prestia.

The paperwork has been lodged for a three-way trade, which will see the Lions send pick No.19 to Port Adelaide in exchange for a future first-round pick.

The Suns will send pick 22 to the Lions and pick 30 to Port and Brisbane will farewell Hanley after 129 games.

The Suns also receive Port Adelaide’s pick 67 while the Power sends its first-round pick in next year’s draft to the Lions. In return Port gets Brisbane’s pick 22.

The deal slightly lowers the Lions’ draft position but sets them up for next year when teenaged academy star Connor Ballenden is available.

Hanley off the the Suns. I'm hearing the deal is done

— Andrew Hamilton (@AndrewHammo72) October 17, 2016

Suns are also talking to Crows about J Lyons

— Andrew Hamilton (@AndrewHammo72) October 17, 2016

Ballenden is touted as among the best three 17-year-olds in the country.

“As part of our trade and draft plan we have to take every opportunity to maximise our picks, bring new talent in and continue our strategy of building for the future,” new Lions list boss David Noble said.

“Pearce has provided good service to the club over the past nine years, particularly coming to the Lions as an international rookie, but circumstances saw him want a fresh start.

“We think the deal is a really good result for us, and we wish Pearce all the best in the future.”

Hanley, 27, is one of the most damaging ball carriers in the competition but appeared to lack interest in his final year at the Lions.

Rumours of his social activities spread through the competition which prompted the Suns to talk to former teammates Rischitelli and Andrew Raines.

However Brisbane declared they were happy to keep him if a deal fell through.

The Lions appear to have been motivated by a desire to separate Hanley and captain Tom Rockliff. They have been open to offers on both but to date there has been no interest in Rockliff, whose stocks have plummeted this off-season.

Hanley’s management approached the Suns shortly after the end of the home and away season.

He has twice visited the club where he has undergone a medical and toured the new facilities.

Originally published as Brisbane midfielder Pearce Hanley set to join the Gold Coast Suns