Hanley has well and truly settled down now.
The Mayo footballer headed Down Under, to try his luck at Aussie Rules, as a 19-year-old. That was back in 2007.
Initially, Hanley struggled to make an impact following the switch from sporting codes and, more importantly, amateur to professional.
Hanley eventually settled and will play his 100th game for the Brisbane Lions, against Sydney Swans, this weekend. Ahead of that landmark date, he gave a frank interview with AFL.com.
He commented, ‘I think I was drunk my first two years.
‘I still had a great time and it’s made me who I am now. My professionalism has got a lot better and I’m really enjoying my footy at the moment and I’ve definitely pulled my head in.’
Hanley added, ‘It dawned on me at my three-year mark,” Hanley said.
‘I got in a bit of strife and thought I was in a bit of trouble. The club were very good to stand by me.
‘I thought I wasn’t going to be given another contract and I thought I was going to be sent home. I remember I got a bit emotional in front of the boys and I think from there I turned my year around.
‘The next pre-season I knuckled down and from there my game has got better and better and I’ve turned into the player I am today.’
Hanley’s family have flown over to Australia to catch the game. He admitted that the eight-year stay has flown, but the first year was a drag.
‘When I came I was pretty much the worst player on the list because my skills were bad, my game knowledge was bad, everything,’ he said.
‘It’s just grown from there. Looking at my transition over the years, it’s been a fun ride.
‘It just takes hard work. It’s taken a long time but I’m very proud of myself for managing to reach it.’
H/T: The42
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