Joe Daniher speaks for the first time since off-season Sydney trade request
Bombers spearhead Joe Daniher has spoken for the first time on his tumultuous off-season, revealing why he asked for the failed trade to Sydney, while assuring Essendon fans he was committed to the red and black.
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Joe Daniher said he knew from the start a move to Sydney was going to be “difficult”.
But he says he made the decision to ask for the trade from the Bombers in conjunction with friends and family in a bid to “have a fresh start”.
Back at Tullamarine today, the talented, but oft-injured key forward pulled no punches in admitting to asking for the trade, while reinforcing his re-commitment to the Bombers.
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“I’m feeling good. It’s nice to be back,” Daniher said.
“I’m excited.
“I obviously requested a trade to Sydney.
“After a long period of time working with my family and friends I felt it was the best move for me to freshen up.
“I knew I was under contract. We had some good discussions with the club and they made me aware it was going to be difficult. I understood that.
“I really wanted to take the time and be really comfortable with the decision. I knew it was going to be tough.
“It didn’t go through so we’re here now and I’m ready to get back to Essendon fully committed.”
The son for former Bomber and Swan Anthony Daniher, Joe had played all 23 games and booted 65 goals in 2017, before persistent injuries limited him to just 11 games across the past two seasons.
And he said that had taken a toll.
“I’ve played AFL for what feels like a long time now.,” he said.
“I’ve grown up in Melbourne and I’m fully aware of what it takes to be a professional footballer and what you give up.
“It was more around the last couple of years have been really difficult from an injury point of view and I felt a new start might help that.
“But it wasn’t to be so here we are and I’m ready and committed to get back into it.
“For me I just want to get out and train and train hard and provide some real leadership.”
He said he wasn’t looking ahead to next year, despite it being the end of his contract.
“The priority is my body,” he said.
“Following that will be playing and hopefully offering something on the field.
“They’ll be a lot of speculation and hypotheticals about what next year will look like.
“But the priority for me is getting out there.”
Bombers players urged the club to hold Daniher, who had a mid-season meeting with Swans chief executive Tom Harley in Sydney, to his contract during the trade period, the two clubs
unable to to terms and he was forced to stay at Tullamarine, where he is contracted until the end of 2020.
Essendon played a hard line on Daniher, asking for a player to be added on top of picks No.5 and 9, the Bombers wanting Sydney to offer a player as part of the deal.
MORE ON DANIHER:
Joe Daniher clears the air on his catch-up with Tom Harley
Essendon forward Joe Daniher requests trade to Sydney, but will Bombers budge?
Essendon players lobbying the club to hold Joe Daniher to his contract
Essendon holds firm with Sydney on Joe Daniher as Carlton waits nervously on Tom Papley
How Essendon plans to mend bridges with Joe Daniher
Coach John Worsfold did not believe Daniher’s was a unique case, despite his desire to leave the club.
“Not unique at all, I’ve seen it several times, maybe a dozen times over my career,” Worsfold said.
“Not all of those situations have had press conferences because they haven’t been as high profile a player but it doesn’t mean they’re any less important and we didn’t put effort into supporting them — whether they wanted to leave or we tried to trade them.
Worsfold, who hands the Essendon coaching reigns over to Ben Rutten at the end of next season, said he wasn’t “fussed” by Daniher’s expriring contract.
“There’s so much work to be done, there’s so many different scenarios that can take place and why talk about them all now?” he said.
“You’ll take care of that...we’ll answer the questions and keep you updated.
“The number one thing is we want to to have a great season of footy and whatever happens from there will take care of itself.”
Originally published as Joe Daniher speaks for the first time since off-season Sydney trade request
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