Crameri took a mark over Jed Adcock and quickly played on, running into what appeared an open shot for goal before pulling the trigger on his favoured left boot from 30m out.
Hanley had not given up on the play and launched himself at Crameri’s boot, deflecting the kick through for a behind.
It was not only a sign of the Lions’ desperate defence that was under siege all night, but a sign of the continued development of the Irish half-back.
Hanley only kicked his first Sherrin in late 2007 after being recruited by the Lions, and has now played 19 senior games, including all seven this season.
His 25 disposals, including eight rebounds from defensive 50, was a shining light for a Lions team that suffered its seventh straight loss on Saturday night.
Essendon took the ball inside 50 a whopping 75 times, but only converted the pressure into goals in the second half when they kicked nine goals to three.
“We were under pressure a lot but our big boys were good at bringing it to ground like 'Rog' (Daniel Merrett) and 'Goose' (Matt Maguire) when he was down there and Joelly Patfull,” Hanley said.
“Then we had the problem of shutting down their small forwards and I think we did pretty good to an extent but they managed to kick enough goals.
“We were under that much pressure, so to an extent we had to get it out of the back 50 and when we did sometimes it wasn’t too good and it came straight back in. So it was a difficult night.”
Hanley still has the odd error in his game, including giving away a free kick for a high tackle that led to an Angus Monfries goal in the first quarter, but the 22-year-old shows plenty of adventure and is prepared to run and carry the ball.
“I love it,” he said.
“It’s a good role because you have the game in front of you. It’s important you don’t get too carried away because I’m usually on one of the smaller, dangerous forwards, and you usually get kicked in the butt if you go too far upfield.
“I take something away from every game and I focus on that during the week and hopefully put it into practise.
“We’re definitely a strong tight unit down there and all the boys (defenders) love playing with each other.”
Hanley said it was hard going week to week without a win but insisted the Lions were still a tight knit group who continued to train hard and work for each other.
“Vossy is doing a great job and everyone is behind him and hopefully we’ll turn it around for soon,” he said.
