James Hird says Essendon was right to knock back Sydney’s trade offer for Joe Daniher

Sydney’s final offer of two first-round draft picks for Joe Daniher was underselling the key forward, according to James Hird. The Essendon legend has also offered a strong defence of the Bombers list manager.

Joe Daniher of the Bombers.

James Hird has backed Essendon’s decision to hold Joe Daniher to the final year of his contract amid a glowing endorsement of veteran list boss Adrian Dodoro.

Hird said Sydney’s offer was not adequate compensation for Daniher, and the Bombers were duty-bound to try and convince the 2017 All-Australian to re-sign.

“Absolutely (they made the right decision),” the club legend and former coach told the Herald Sun.

“Joe Daniher is a terrific player, and he’ll get himself right (physically) at some stage. I think it’s imperative the club tries to hold on to him.

“I don’t know what exactly was on the table, but if it’s what was reported then it was (the right call).”

Dodoro – who asked for Isaac Heeney or Nick Blakey to be included in trade talks – has said Sydney’s final offer was pick 9 and a future first-round selection, which he rejected.

Swans coach John Longmire said this month his club had moved on since the stalemate.

Essendon asked for Isaac Heeney in a trade for Joe Daniher.

The drugs saga sabotaged the Hird-Dodoro list build, which aimed to win the club’s 17th premiership from 2014-16.

The Bombers were kicked out of the 2013 finals, lost draft picks in 2013-14, had to overpay their players (known as the ASADA tax) and were suspended for the 2015 pre-season and 2016 season.

“You’d say that list would’ve been pretty hard to beat,” Hird said.

“It should’ve been a top-four list, or certainly a finals list. The list we had coming into 2013 was outstanding.

“If you look at the players who are now unfortunately at other clubs due to the ASADA situation – Paddy Ryder, Jake Carlisle – two players that probably should still be on our list if things hadn’t of gone that way, it’s a very different story.”

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Essendon’s long-time list manager Adrian Dodoro. Picture: Michael Klein

Hird’s team boasted eight players who reached All-Australian standard. Premier Richmond has eight All-Australians on its 2020 list, including the retired Alex Rance.

“If you look at (Dodoro’s) record through what’s happened at Essendon since 2012, with the ASADA side of things, and the list he was able to build, it’s pretty phenomenal, really,” Hird said.

“It’s a testament to the club, but mostly to Adrian that he’s been able to put that list together through the worst time in the club’s history.”

Hird rubbished claims that Dodoro – and by extension Essendon – was difficult to negotiate with.

“I find that ridiculous, really,” he said.

“Adrian’s primary role is to do the best thing by the Essendon Football Club. He’s not trying to enhance the trade week or make it as exciting as possible for everyone else.

“Being in a lot of those deals and having seen either side of it, Adrian fulfils that role perfectly.

“He’s passionate, he wears (his heart) on his sleeve, he’s very, very intelligent, knows the

football world inside and out and has a network of scouts that’s second to none.”

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Originally published as James Hird says Essendon was right to knock back Sydney’s trade offer for Joe Daniher