Pearce Hanley is the runaway mid-season leader in the race towards the Brisbane Lions’ online Player of the Year.

The Player of the Year award gives fans the opportunity to cast their votes each week (in the familiar 3-2-1 format) for the players they believe were the Club’s best.

Despite missing Round 5 through suspension, Hanley leads the way with a total of 1,142 votes – more than 400 votes clear of second placed Brent Moloney (725).

Many are also predicting the Irishman as the clubhouse leader for the 2013 Merrett-Murray Medal, and as a potential early candidate for the AFL All Australian team.

Hanley has finished equal fourth and third in the Club’s highest individual honour over the past two years, and has been in career-best form early in 2013.

Moloney has also won the Lions’ fans over with a promising start to his first season with the Club.

The former Demons midfielder has been one of the Lions’ most consistent players in 2013, and ranks among the team leaders in a range of key statistical categories.

Dayne Zorko, meanwhile, has made up some significant ground in recent weeks – particularly following big performances against Essendon and Collingwood.

Zorko currently sits third in the Player of the Year with 520 votes, and is making up quick ground on the top two who were both uncharacteristically quiet against the Magpies last Friday night.

Jack Redden’s (479 votes) effort against Collingwood has also seen him leapfrog injured ruckman Matthew Leuenberger (478 votes) into outright fourth.