IRISHMAN Pearce Hanley has shown massive faith in Brisbane's direction by signing a five-year deal with the club.

The 24-year-old said he agreed to terms with the Lions regardless of who would be coaching at the Gabba in 2014 and beyond.

Brisbane are expected to formally announce the key re-signing in the coming days but Hanley said yesterday it was a done deal.

"It was just a matter of getting the right contract," Hanley told The Courier Mail.

"There was no rush, I wasn't going anywhere.

"It's just a coincidence that I'm signing this week after all that has happened at the club with Vossy.

"I love the club. We are a tight playing group, a really united playing group.

"I'm delighted that I'm staying."

After a tumultuous week that saw Brisbane dump club legend Michael Voss, the retention of Hanley is a significant coup for the Lions. It is matter of when, not if, he wins All-Australian honours and he is the red-hot favourite for Brisbane's best-and-fairest award.

After being a latecomer to the game, the County Mayo product has become the Lions' most important player as he can single-handedly tear a game apart with his running ability, beautiful kick and creative flair.

The Lions lack genuine match-winners but Hanley is a legitimate AFL star.

Rival teams invariably send a tagger to him to dampen his considerable influence on matches. To lock him into such a long-term deal is a big win for Brisbane.

Hanley is on the rise and will be a genuine contender for the Brownlow Medal in coming years.

They would have faced stiff competition from rival clubs for Hanley if he ever hit the open market. Managed by the same player agent as Matthew Leuenberger and Daniel Rich, Hanley's re-signing is the last key piece in Brisbane's retention puzzle. Those three players form the core of Brisbane's future plans.

Hanley received a hip flexor injury in the first quarter of the 60-point win over GWS at the Gabba last Saturday night and will have scans today.

"I'm a bit sore," Hanley said.

"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."

Hampered by the hip problem, he collected 11 touches and one goal in Brisbane's romp over the last-placed Giants.