Pearce Hanley was the Brisbane Lions' big surprise packet of 2013. Picture: Jono Searle Source: Jonathon Searle / News Limited
"I KNOW they are coming for me.''
It sounds ominous but Lions star Pearce Hanley is in no doubt that he will be a hunted man in 2014.
His summer will be based about preparing for the onslaught from the AFL's best taggers.
Hanley took another step towards stardom with a breakout year in 2013 when he became arguably Brisbane's most important player.
His devastating run and carry, aggression, competitiveness, finishing ability and pinpoint-accurate right boot make him a marquee man at the Gabba.
LIONS FACE TOUGH START TO 2014
But there were bumps on the road to elite company with taggers occasionally getting the best of the Irishman, no more so than Collingwood's Brent Macaffer who kept the 24-year-old to just 10 touches in Round 10.
They may not be able to cage Hanley next time around.
His is fitter and more focused than ever before and is no longer an Irish novelty.
All clubs will be watching the Irishman more closely next season. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Limited
A genuine AFL A-lister in the making, Hanley recorded a personal-best time for the 2km time trial last Tuesday before the Lions departed for the two-week high altitude camp in Arizona.
"I expected a bit of extra attention last year but I know they are coming for me next season," Hanley said.
"I really attacked my off-season program and I'm pretty happy with my PB in the time trial.
"I just want to do everything I did last year and improve on it all ... take it up a notch.
"I'd like to play through the midfield more. I'm going to work closely with Andrew Raines, who tags for us, to learn how to deal with taggers and how to work through it.
"We've got a young and exciting midfield and I'd love to be a part of that."
HANLEY HITS OUT ON TWITTER
Hanley inked a lucrative five-year deal with the club last year. His commitment to the Lions' cause was evident when he took to Twitter to label the club's "Go Home 5" - Billy Longer, Jared Polec, Sam Docherty, Patrick Karnezis and Elliot Yeo - "Mummy's boys".
With 76 AFL games to his name after making his debut in 2008, the County Mayo product is ready to embrace the extra responsibility of the year ahead.
"I need to evolve my game. I can't be satisfied with what I've done so far," he said.
"I need to keep learning and keep improving and show some leadership."
BLACK TO ASSIST AT LIONS
Hanley will look to recently retired AFL legend Simon Black for advice.
"We will miss Blacky's nous and class out on the field but it's great to have him still at the club as an assistant coach," he said.
"He is an all-time great of the game. It will be great to learn from the best."
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