Joe Daniher's father Anthony lifts the lid on AFL retirement rumours amid grand final glory
Daniher is reportedly considering his AFL future.
Joe Daniher's father Anthony says he expects his son to play on in 2025 despite sudden retirement rumours that have persisted since grand final eve. 7News' chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary first reported on Friday that the grand final - which the Lions ended up winning by 60 points over Sydney - could be Daniher's swansong, claiming he was 'considering his AFL future', despite having a year left to run on his Lions contract.
In the Lions' premiership triumph, Daniher produced a typically chaotic performance, kicking 2.4 but was pivotal around the ground with 16 disposals, eight marks and a game-high 12 score involvements. And after slotting his second goal and what ended up being the final goal of the match, the Lions forward exploded into wild celebrations as he was mobbed by his jubilant teammates adding fuel to the retirement speculation fire.
The 30-year-old key forward played an integral role in the Lions' stunning September run to the flag but since Saturday's grand final triumph has kept a low profile. 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.
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 on Sunday but refused to comment.
It has been suggested that the media-shy Daniher will retire in the weeks to come so he doesn't take away from the Lions' celebrations. It is believed he could quietly step away after the Lions' best-and-fairest awards this week as the trade period commences.
Joe Daniher's father Anthony expects him to play on in 2025
But on Monday, his father Anthony - a former Sydney and Essendon player - said that Joe retiring would be news to him as he fully expects his son to continue at Brisbane next season. "The words and talk (about Joe's potential retirement), fascinating," Anthony told SEN.
"We don't understand where they've come from or how they've evolved. He's certainly not spoken to us about it, so if it is it would be news to us."
"He was just off the chart (after the grand final), he was so, so happy. To have some quiet time in the room, he nearly couldn't talk, his smile was right across his face, he was just beaming with happiness."
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Daniher, who is contracted for next season, would leave a massive hole in Brisbane's bid to win back-to-back premierships if he does choose to retire. However, it wouldn't be all bad for the Lions as if the 30-year-old opted to hang up the boots it would free up $1 million of salary cap space for them to chase another star, as well as paying to keep several other premiership heroes who were sure to have caught the attention of rival sides.
Daniher has played 204 games and kicked 395 goals since debuting for Essendon in 2013. After playing 108 games for the Bombers, Daniher requested a trade to Brisbane during the 2020 off-season.
with AAP
