How Essendon plans to mend bridges with Joe Daniher
Operation: Mend the bridge with Joe Daniher has already been enacted at Essendon, with the Bombers planning to pull out all the stops to make him fall back in love with the red and black — and stay on after 2020.
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Essendon players and powerbrokers will quickly throw their arms around spearhead Joe Daniher to erase any lingering embarrassment or disappointment from his failed trade request.
The club is planning to rally around the gun goal kicker when he returns from an overseas holiday in a fortnight and resumes his recovery from his nightmare groin problems at training next month.
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Senior Essendon figures including coach-in-waiting Ben Rutten plan to meet with Daniher to help address any ongoing concerns he has with the club after asking to join Sydney Swans.
Importantly, the Bombers are confident its revamped strength and conditioning department will help the 25-year-old return to his best next season and steer it towards a drought-breaking finals win.
Daniher could also be removed from the leadership group if it helps him focus on his own recovery after two injury-plagued seasons.
Essendon list chief Adrian Dodoro yesterday said the healing has already begun after a 40-minute phone call with the father-son gem to explain the call to keep him.
Dodoro said the motivation behind Daniher’s trade request “was about lifestyle” rather than any specific club issues.
“The great thing is every single player at the club is rapt that he is staying and have reached out,” Dodoro said on SEN.
“He’ll have the love and support of everyone at the club.
“He does not have an issue with anyone at the Essendon Football Club.
“It’s about lifestyle for him and wanting to change environments — that’s our reading of it.”
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Essendon holds firm on Joe Daniher, wants to rekindle his love for Bombers
Dodoro said the Swans refused to officially put pick five on the table for Daniher, instead offering pick nine and a future first-rounder.
Essendon has steadily built its list in the wake of the crippling drugs crisis and was not prepared to cede Daniher without a replacement star player from the Swans, such as Nick Blakey.
But Dodoro was optimistic the club can change Daniher’s mind about leaving again next year once he helps the Bombers win games in 2020.
Daniher will qualify for free agency next year, but the Bombers could match a bid from the Swans to secure more attractive compensation.
It’s what Adelaide did to claim multiple picks and a player from Geelong for Paddy Dangerfield in 2015.
“He put his case forward and we just couldn’t get the deal done in the end and he understands the reasons why,” Dodoro said.
“Obviously he’s going to be a little bit disappointed, but by the same token we know he’ll get up tomorrow and the sun will shine, and we’re looking forward to him having a great year next year.
“We think that we’re in a terrific window and hopefully the excitement of 2020 will help Joey overcome his disappointment and he is with us for many years to come.”
Long-kicking wingman Tom Cutler (Brisbane) and back-up ruckman Andrew Phillips (Carlton) also joined Essendon in the trade period.
Phillips could play a key support role next season while emerging big man Sam Draper recovers from a knee reconstruction.
Brisbane was disappointed to lose Cutler who will add some size and x-factor in the wing.
“He’s a big-bodied mid, he has got great speed, great endurance, he’s a long kick and he’s at exactly the right age demographic for what we’re looking for,” Dodoro said.
“We were also able to get big Andrew Phillips in. Andrew’s a beautiful ruck technician.”
“Ever since he was at GWS, ‘Sheeds’ (former coach Kevin Sheedy) kept telling me we’ve got to get this kid to the club. We finally got him, so I hope Sheeds is happy with that.
“When he did play senior football for Carlton this year, he actually got coaches votes in one of the games later in the year and showed he’s a very, very adequate AFL ruckman, so we’re really happy to get him on board.”
Originally published as How Essendon plans to mend bridges with Joe Daniher