Joe Daniher stuns Lions fans with $1 million retirement decision as telling grand final act resurfaces
The Brisbane Lions superstar has made a huge call with one year left on his contract.
Brisbane Lions leader Joe Daniher has walked away from the final year of his contract to retire from the sport only five days after winning the AFL premiership. Daniher was instrumental in the Lions' staggering 60-point demolition of the Sydney Swans in the AFL grand final.
The forward kicked two goals in the victory and in a telling moment, roared to life after the second. Daniher is usually reserved with his celebrations, but the 30-year-old jumped up with pride in the fourth-quarter after his goal in front of the fans. His teammates swamped him after the goal in a telling moment for the forward.
And five days after lifting the AFL premiership trophy, Daniher has opted to forego the final year of his contract to call time on his career. Daniher played 204 games and kicked a whopping 395 goals throughout his career. Daniher joined the Lions from Essendon in 2020 after playing 108 games for the Bombers.
Only last week on 3AW Footy, AFL reporter Caroline Wilson claimed Daniher would be walking away from 'a million dollars' in his final season. The popular Lions forward has instead walked away from the final year of his deal to finish his footy career on the ultimate high having lifted the trophy at the MCG. There was mounting speculation Daniher would call time on his career after the AFL grand final.
7News' chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary first reported the grand final could be Daniher's swansong, claiming he was 'considering his AFL future', despite having a year left to run on his Lions contract. Daniher's father Anthony attempted to quell the speculation heading into the big game and said he expects his son to play on in 2025.
Although this was not meant to be. Daniher was electric during the showdown against the Swans and produced 16 disposals, eight marks and a game-high 12 score involvements to go along with his two goals.
Breaking - Joe Daniher has retired from the AFL, age 30.
Walks away from a lucrative final year of his contract for 2025.
One of the best key forwards in the game. Arguably the best fwd/ruck.
Also keeps the ‘flag team to never play another game together again’ streak alive https://t.co/r8cuZqgzoZ— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) October 3, 2024
Joe Daniher shies away from media after grand final win
The 30-year-old was a key factor in the Lions' surging September run to the flag, but remained coy about his future. After Saturday's win, Daniher largely avoided the media. The premiership hero only gave one interview, to the Seven Network on the ground, after Brisbane's 60-point smashing of Sydney where he didn't provide any information about whether or not he will play next year.
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He declined all further media requests in the Lions changing rooms at the MCG, retreating to a quiet room with his family to reflect on the win straight after the team song. Daniher was then approached multiple times for comment at Brisbane's family day in Melbourne, but remained coy.
While Lions fans will be devastated to see their premiership winning forward depart, $750,000 will be freed up in the salary cap for them to chase another star in 2025. Daniher isn't the only other superstar to retire from the game in 2024 with Dustin Martin also hanging up the boots.
