Doubt over Daniher: Will star Bomber play again this season?

STAR Bombers forward Joe Daniher hasn’t played since Round 7 and while Essendon is suddenly roaring towards finals, the club has no interest in rushing the forward back, Eliza Sewell writes.

Will Joe Daniher play again this season? Picture: Getty Images

JOE Daniher’s immediate playing future will be discussed at a meeting on Saturday with Essendon coach John Worsfold unable to say if the forward will play again this season.

Daniher hasn’t played since Round 7, when he finally succumbed to a groin injury that had been troubling him for some time.

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Will Joe Daniher play again this season? Picture: Getty Images

Daniher had kicked just eight goals in seven games and his form had been heavily criticised.

Worsfold said Daniher had only just started light running, with swimming and upper bodywork his main training to date.

The meeting will feature of host of people who have been involved in Daniher’s recovery including the coach, doctor, physiotherapist, high performance coaches and conditioning staff.

Worsfold said the prospect of a finals appearance for the Bombers would have no baring on Daniher’s management.

“Joey’s going pretty well, we’ve got a big group discussion about where he’s at and what his program is going forward in Saturday,” Worsfold said.

“I’ll be able to give you a better update next week, but Joe’s pretty happy with where he’s at.

“He’s doing some swimming and some upper body weights and started light running, he’s progressing.

Joe Daniher with his uncle Neale Daniher in support of Fight MND.

“ … On Saturday we will map out where he’s at now and what his program is to get him back to 100 per cent health, that won’t take into account any time frames, it’ll just be ‘this is what it’s going to take’”.

Asked if he expected Daniher to play again this season, Worsfold said: “I couldn’t answer that.”

Essendon has won five of its past six games and is still in the hunt to play finals, but face second placed Collingwood on Sunday at the MCG.

Worsfold said David Zaharakis (sternoclavicular joint) and Darcy Parish (thumb) were on track with their recoveries, but would not return for the important clash.

David Zaharakis injured himself against Richmond in Round 11.

Zaharkis had surgery on the joint which joins the collarbone and the sternum in early June, while Parish fractured his thumb about five weeks ago and also had surgery.

“Zaka is still a few weeks away from playing,” Worsfold said.

“Darcy’s not too far away. I don’t think he’ll (play) this week, but he’s not too far away.”