Why Joe Daniher bomb dropped at ‘awkward’ time

The reason for Joe Daniher’s big secret “leaking out” has emerged with the story taking a twist before the Grand Final.

Richmond great Jack Riewoldt says Joe Daniher would not be happy his big secret “leaked out” before the AFL Grand Final.

The 30-year-old is one of Brisbane’s most important players, but the footy world was rocked on Friday night when leading footy journalist Mitch Cleary first reported on Channel 7 Daniher is considering ending his career “on a high” with the potential of a Lions premiership on Saturday.

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More details about the shock news emerged on Saturday just hours before the game with Cleary reporting the Lions playing group was aware of Daniher’s situation before the news broke.

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reported on Fox Footy the news about Daniher was very “real”, despite the star forward having another season on his contract through to the end of the 2025 season — reportedly valued at $1 million.

Joe Daniher training on the MCG. Picture Lachie Millard.

“Joey Daniher is considering his football future,” Ralph said on Fox Footy.

“It’s real it’s certainly not media speculation. If the Lions were to win the grand final he’d be more likely to call it quits.

“Now I’ve spoken to Brisbane and their official line is that he is considering the shape of his life after football with his family.

“Now people would say why is this coming out now. Well as soon as Brian Taylor speculated on Adelaide radio that a big retirement announcement was coming it was always going to come out.”

Demons legend Garry Lyon also said he would not be surprised if Daniher does walk away.

“He is the ultimate modern day enigma,” Lyon said on SEN.

“He doesn’t chase the limelight, fame or social media. From what I’ve told he drives a beaten up car from NSW to Brisbane to train. He lives a minimalist lifestyle and I don’t think anyone would be surprised if he retires.”

Richmond great Jack Riewoldt said Daniher would not have wanted the news to leak out in grand final week.

Brian Taylor - Channel 7 footy commentator. Picture: Channel 7/Supplied.

“It doesn’t surprise me in terms of hearing what Joe Daniher’s character is about. He lives in Byron Bay and in the shadows a little bit and stays away (from the limelight). But you just wouldn’t want it leaking Grand Final week,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

“If the Lions win today and you get a taste of success, there is no way you’re retiring once you’ve gone to the top of the mountain because you just get this taste of what it’s like.

“The Lions aren’t going to be falling off the cliff any time soon, they’ve got a superstar team in all aspects of what they’re about. Once you win one, your mind goes straight to winning two.”

Taylor earlier this week teased a major announcement was coming.

“Just one thing to watch out for and do not ask me to follow up because I’m not going to give you any more information than what I give you now,” Taylor said on the Rowey and Timmy G show on FIVEaa

“Something is going to happen at the end of the grand final, regardless of who wins or loses that is going to affect either side.

“And it is going to be pretty emotional and an incredible surprise to everyone in the footy world.

“I’ll leave it at that.”

Originally published as Why Joe Daniher bomb dropped at ‘awkward’ time