The future of star Brisbane Lions forward Joe Daniher remains up in the air after a leading journalist said there was a “very, very strong chance he has played his last game of football”.
Now, a further report has emerged claiming Lions players are ‘doubtful’ Daniher will play on in 2025 following post-grand final discussions.
Wild speculation sparked by AFL commentator Brian Taylor saw Daniher head into the 2024 Grand Final with retirement questions circling.
The Lions’ thumping win over Sydney, capped off by a Daniher goal in the final minutes which prompted wild celebrations from both the 30-year-old and his teammates, only added to the claims the enigmatic forward will hang up the boots.
Grand Final
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On Tuesday morning, Nine’s Tom Morris reported Brisbane players ‘raised the prospect of retirement’ with Daniher at the club’s premiership celebrations, and while they are ‘hopeful’ they are also ‘doubtful’ of the 30-year-old resuming his AFL career next season.
Daniher’s current Lions contract expires at the end of next year.
Journalist Damian Barrett shared his Daniher intel on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“There was a conditioning and an awareness of that news, (Daniher) made Brisbane Lions officials aware prior to the game, I believe it was a month ago or thereabouts,” Barrett said last Sunday.
“There had been talk during the course of the season that he might be considering his future. I believe there were key people at the Lions aware of that going into the game.
“While there is still some wiggle room, there will be a concerted pitch to have him revisit this decision.
“At the moment there is a strong conditioning and even expectation that is it, which is extraordinary given how well he played in that grand final, how well he played in last year’s grand final and how well he played in big matches for the Brisbane Lions.”
Josh Dunkley and Joe Daniher on stage at Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy on Sunday. Picture Lachie MillardSource: News Corp Australia
Daniher’s Brisbane teammates made it clear in their post-match comments they were aware of the possibility.
While Lions co-captain Harris Andrews said the reports were “a bit of a shock”, he conceded on the same program: “However that plays out, it will play out. We know that Joey has a lot more going on than necessarily football, but I couldn’t be happier for him.
“He has worked so hard, and just pumped for him.”
Asked whether he would try and convince Daniher to stay, Andrews added: “Potentially, but I cannot control what Joey does.”
Neale: ‘Couldn’t give a s*!t’ | 03:48
Meanwhile Lions veteran Dayne Zorko effectively conceded Daniher had been weighing up retirement during the season when discussing a midseason catch-up between the team’s veterans.
“At Round 12 (when) we had the bye — myself, Joe (Daniher) and Ryan Lester sat down with Harris Andrews and we said: ‘Might be time we start playing the kids, we might have to turn to next year. ‘If that’s the case, it’s been fun’,” Zorko said on 3AW post-game.
“But we came up with a real clear plan that day that we weren’t going to go down that path; there was so much football to go.
“Every week for the last 14 weeks, we’ve caught up as a group – we added Josh Dunkley to that frame… and we just talk through everything every week, we catch up for coffee. We really wanted to make a difference and impact this season.”
Joe Daniher of the Lions celebrates after scoring a goal during the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The Lions forward’s father Anthony Daniher talked down the possibility of retirement, without truly confirming his plans either way.
“He is just in a very happy place at the moment so he will keep going, he’s all right. He is that happy, it’s not funny, It’s a super (work-life) balance. People read into things but that’s OK,” Daniher told the Herald Sun.
“Joe is Joe and he’s good to write stories about so let it roll. When you win, you let it roll. (His future) will sort itself out so he will just soak this one up.
“It’s been hard work to get there and they missed out last year by so little. To get back and win it like that, I am so happy for the whole team. I am so happy for Joe. He has worked his arse off to get into this position and we will soak this one up and enjoy it.”
However, if the Lions do need to try and convince Daniher to stay, they may struggle, according to Geelong great Cameron Ling.
“If Joe Daniher doesn’t have the deep motivation, it’s hard to get it back,” he said on ABC radio.
“The Lions have tried to accommodate him, they’ll probably try to talk him out of it but if his mind is made up, he is probably best heading off into the sunset a happy man.”
Is Joe Daniher retiring after Brisbane Lions premiership, Anthony Daniher responds, Lions teammates react, latest news – MASHAHER
The future of star Brisbane Lions forward Joe Daniher remains up in the air after a leading journalist said there was a “very, very strong chance he has played his last game of football”.
Now, a further report has emerged claiming Lions players are ‘doubtful’ Daniher will play on in 2025 following post-grand final discussions.
Wild speculation sparked by AFL commentator Brian Taylor saw Daniher head into the 2024 Grand Final with retirement questions circling.
The Lions’ thumping win over Sydney, capped off by a Daniher goal in the final minutes which prompted wild celebrations from both the 30-year-old and his teammates, only added to the claims the enigmatic forward will hang up the boots.
Grand Final
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Watch every game of the NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
On Tuesday morning, Nine’s Tom Morris reported Brisbane players ‘raised the prospect of retirement’ with Daniher at the club’s premiership celebrations, and while they are ‘hopeful’ they are also ‘doubtful’ of the 30-year-old resuming his AFL career next season.
Daniher’s current Lions contract expires at the end of next year.
Journalist Damian Barrett shared his Daniher intel on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“There was a conditioning and an awareness of that news, (Daniher) made Brisbane Lions officials aware prior to the game, I believe it was a month ago or thereabouts,” Barrett said last Sunday.
“There had been talk during the course of the season that he might be considering his future. I believe there were key people at the Lions aware of that going into the game.
“While there is still some wiggle room, there will be a concerted pitch to have him revisit this decision.
“At the moment there is a strong conditioning and even expectation that is it, which is extraordinary given how well he played in that grand final, how well he played in last year’s grand final and how well he played in big matches for the Brisbane Lions.”
Daniher’s Brisbane teammates made it clear in their post-match comments they were aware of the possibility.
While Lions co-captain Harris Andrews said the reports were “a bit of a shock”, he conceded on the same program: “However that plays out, it will play out. We know that Joey has a lot more going on than necessarily football, but I couldn’t be happier for him.
“He has worked so hard, and just pumped for him.”
Asked whether he would try and convince Daniher to stay, Andrews added: “Potentially, but I cannot control what Joey does.”
Neale: ‘Couldn’t give a s*!t’ | 03:48
Meanwhile Lions veteran Dayne Zorko effectively conceded Daniher had been weighing up retirement during the season when discussing a midseason catch-up between the team’s veterans.
“At Round 12 (when) we had the bye — myself, Joe (Daniher) and Ryan Lester sat down with Harris Andrews and we said: ‘Might be time we start playing the kids, we might have to turn to next year. ‘If that’s the case, it’s been fun’,” Zorko said on 3AW post-game.
“But we came up with a real clear plan that day that we weren’t going to go down that path; there was so much football to go.
“Every week for the last 14 weeks, we’ve caught up as a group – we added Josh Dunkley to that frame… and we just talk through everything every week, we catch up for coffee. We really wanted to make a difference and impact this season.”
The Lions forward’s father Anthony Daniher talked down the possibility of retirement, without truly confirming his plans either way.
“He is just in a very happy place at the moment so he will keep going, he’s all right. He is that happy, it’s not funny, It’s a super (work-life) balance. People read into things but that’s OK,” Daniher told the Herald Sun.
“Joe is Joe and he’s good to write stories about so let it roll. When you win, you let it roll. (His future) will sort itself out so he will just soak this one up.
“It’s been hard work to get there and they missed out last year by so little. To get back and win it like that, I am so happy for the whole team. I am so happy for Joe. He has worked his arse off to get into this position and we will soak this one up and enjoy it.”
However, if the Lions do need to try and convince Daniher to stay, they may struggle, according to Geelong great Cameron Ling.
“If Joe Daniher doesn’t have the deep motivation, it’s hard to get it back,” he said on ABC radio.
“The Lions have tried to accommodate him, they’ll probably try to talk him out of it but if his mind is made up, he is probably best heading off into the sunset a happy man.”
Source Agencies