Hannebery was drafted by the Sydney Swans in the 2008 AFL Draft, but remained in Melbourne in 2009 to complete his secondary education at Xavier College. He made his debut in round 16, 2009 against Carlton, while still attending high school. In round 2 of the 2010 AFL season, he received a nomination for the AFL Rising Star award after he played a starring role in his side's drought-breaking win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. Hannebery was awarded the Ron Evans Medal as the 2010 AFL Rising Star. Hotly tipped all year to take out the coveted award, he polled the maximum 45 votes to beat number one draft pick, Tom Scully with 35 votes. Hannebery's outstanding season was further rewarded with finishing 10th in the Bob Skilton Medal and winning the club's Rising Star Award. The 2011 season was a strong second season for Hannebery as he improved markedly to finish seventh in the Skilton Medal. Hannebery had another strong season in 2012 as the Swans went on to win the premiership. He placed 10th in the 2012 Bob Skilton Medal. In 2013 Hannebery won the first New Zealand-awarded Anzac Medal in the Anzac Day clash between Sydney and. The game was played at Westpac Stadium in New Zealand's capital, Wellington. This was the first game ever played for premiership points outside of Australia. Hannebery's 2015 season was arguably his best, finishing the home and away season as the AFL's leader in possessions. His best game was against Adelaide in round 18, with 40 possessions and 3 goals. He was rewarded with the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, polling one vote ahead of Nat Fyfe. Hannebery became the youngest Sydney player to reach 200 games on 1 June 2018.
St Kilda (2019–present)
At the conclusion of the 2018 season, Hannebery requested a trade back to Victoria. He was traded to St Kilda on 12 October, and immediately joined the club's leadership group. After persistent hamstring and calf issues prevented him from making his St Kilda debut until round 14 of the 2019 season, Hannebery was among his side's best in his first game for the club, a 56-point loss to the at Marvel Stadium. His best game for the year came in the round 23 loss to his former side Sydney at the SCG, when he accumulated 28 disposals to be best afield for St Kilda. In October, Hannebery fractured his foot when he slipped on the stairs at his sister's house in Perth, and required surgery. After playing the first four games of the 2020 season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hannebery suffered a hamstring injury in round 5 against.
