LEIGH MATTHEWS expects first-game Irishman Pearce Hanley to give the Brisbane Lions an injection of ball-carrying power for Saturday night’s vital clash with hard-running Carlton at the Gabba.

The ninth-placed Lions need a win to stay in the race for a finals berth and Matthews is banking on Hanley and fellow call-up Anthony Corrie boosting the side’s pace.

Rookie-listed Hanley, who hails from the small dairy town of Ballaghaderreen in County Mayo, has matched the achievement of compatriot Colm Begley by debuting in his first season at the Gabba.

Ironically, Begley was one of the two players omitted to make way for Hanley and Corrie.

“He will make us quicker and will give the team more players who can genuinely carry the footy. He will not get caught from behind,” Matthews said of Hanley on Friday.

“He’s been very impressive. I saw him kick in November when he first got here from Ireland and he kicked the ball pretty well straight away, so that was a tick.

“He’s been very impressive. He’s got a fair bit of size, some speed and power and his ball skills are good.

“You tend to watch players in the reserves with an eye to how they will go at senior level and he’s the one we’ve been impressed by.”

Matthews was glowing in his praise of Begley when he became the first Irishman to play senior football for the Lions two years ago and believes Hanley has even more physical attributes.

“Frankly, I think Pearce has even more speed and power,” Matthews said.

“Compared to any of our players he has great speed and an ability to carry. Those qualities are very hard to find.”

Matthews would not be drawn on who might match up on Carlton superstar Chris Judd but admitted the 2004 Brownlow medallist was the Blue most likely to command a tag.

“I don’t think we need to be as specific as that in the pre-game. People can guess the two or three options,” Matthews said of Judd.

“Judd is first in line and then (Nick) Stevens and (Marc) Murphy are also very good.”