Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews has touted Irish newcomer Pearce Hanley as a speedster who will not be caught from behind.

Handed his AFL debut for Saturday night's Gabba clash with Carlton in place of countryman Colm Begley, Matthews said Hanley had some exciting athletic qualities.

"Frankly I think Pearce has got even more speed and power than Colm," Matthews said.

"Compared to any of our players he's got great speed and carry and a really good ability to carry the footy.

"So that's one of the qualities that is very hard to find, and it's what we're very pleased with."

The 17-year-old former Gaelic footballer won the Ron Barassi Medal as Ireland's best player in the 2006 under-17 International Rules series against Australia.

Having joined the Lions just last November as an international rookie, Matthews was struck by his ability to quickly adapt to the oval ball.

"He's been very impressive. I saw him kick for the first time in November when he turned up from Ireland and he kicked the ball very well straight away, so I thought 'that's a tick'," Matthews said.

"We put him into one of the pre-season games down in Melbourne and he did okay, and he's done extremely well at reserve level ... we've been very impressed with him.

"He's got a bit of size and he's got some speed and power, and his ball skills are good and he seems to do it well."

Pearce's quick rise to AFL level is similar to that made by Collingwood's Marty Clarke last season.

Clarke debuted for the Magpies in round 12 last year, after first touching a football six months earlier.

Matthews said Hanley was held back by a hamstring injury earlier this year.

But the coach said he would make the Lions into a quicker outfit on Saturday night.

"It will be one more player who can genuinely carry the footy. He will not get caught from behind," he said.

The ninth-placed Lions need to beat the Blues and then down Sydney at the SCG next week to have a realistic shot at making the finals.

Carlton fell out of finals contention with last weekend's loss to North Melbourne, with the main interest now whether Brendan Fevola can kick the 10 more goals needed to post his century in the two rounds remaining.

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