A new five-year deal wasn’t the only positive news surrounding Pearce Hanley early this week, with the in-form Irishman hopeful that a hip flexor injury suffered against the Giants won’t keep him out of this Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.  

Hanley was subbed out of last Saturday night’s match during the third term after experiencing some soreness.

"I'm a bit sore," told The Courier Mail on Monday.

"It wasn't too bad but just a little bit tight so they subbed me off in the third quarter as a bit of a precaution."

Hanley has proven to have extraordinary healing powers in recent years, having missed just one match through injury since early 2010.

That sole match was against Port Adelaide last month, when he nursed a broken hand.

Hanley’s hand injury was originally meant to keep him sidelined for 2-4 weeks, however the Irishman returned the following week to face St Kilda at the Gabba.

The only other senior match Hanley has missed since Round 14 of 2010 was in Round 5 this season following a one-match ban for striking North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas.