Essendon forward Joe Daniher requests trade to Sydney, but will Bombers budge?
Sydney wants Joe Daniher. Joe Daniher wants to get to the Swans. But there’s a big sticking point: He’s contracted at Essendon and the Bombers won’t be playing nice. Here’s how the negotiations might play out.
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Sydney’s dream of uniting Buddy Franklin and Joe Daniher in the game’s most watchable forward line is a long way off, with the Swans and Essendon set for tense negotiations during the trade period.
The Bombers are certain to demand multiple high draft picks, and possibly a player, for Daniher as they come to terms with their favourite son walking out while under contract.
But early indications suggest the Swans believe their No.5 draft pick should go close to clinching an injury-prone forward, who has played just 11 out of a possible 45 games since 2017.
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But Essendon will not accept No.5 in isolation for Daniher, who the club hoped would be its poster boy for a decade.
The anticipated stalemate means a deal is unlikely to be brokered this week.
Swans chief executive Tom Harley arrived in Melbourne yesterday for trade talks, adamant his catch up with Daniher at Harley’s Sydney home in August was unrelated to the trade.
“It was exactly what it was as I stated earlier,” Harley said.
“I’m sure plenty has obviously transpired since then, a lot in the last week or so, or probably two weeks. But that was back in August and I can hand on heart say that’s what the conversation was.”
The Swans boast picks No.5, 25, 43 and 53 and will also secure No.9 should Tom Papley be traded to Carlton.
Sydney will also receive a second-round selection, either in the 2019 or 2020 draft, when out-of-contract dasher Zak Jones is sent to St Kilda.
That arsenal of early draft picks leaves the Swans well-positioned to land Daniher, 25.
While Essendon is likely to ask for picks No.5 and 9, list expert Chris Pelchen said that was too much.
“Pick five is clearly going to have to be in play, but it’ll be more than that,” Pelchen said.
“He’s not worth another pick in the top 12. I’d say pick five and a pick from 15-20, then another pick sliding from Essendon to Sydney with Daniher.
“His value is higher than pick five on its own, and lesser than five and another (high) first-round pick.”
The Swans could look to split No.5 or 9 into a pair of first-round picks. Brisbane Lions hold No.16 and are keen to package that up so they can secure a higher draft pick.
Melbourne received picks No.6 and 23 for power forward Jesse Hogan last year.
Sydney’s recent clear out of high-priced stars, including retired men Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and Nick Smith, means it can afford to pay Daniher as much as $1 million per season.
In a statement, the Swans confirmed they would engage with the Bombers.
“The Sydney Swans can confirm Essendon forward Joe Daniher has advised that he’d like to be traded to the Swans,” the statement read.
“Daniher is contracted to the Essendon Football Club for the 2020 season.
“The club respects that Joe is a contracted player and will approach Essendon in coming days in relation to whether a potential trade could be facilitated.”
But Essendon recruiting and list manager Adrian Dodoro said in a statement the Bombers were set to play hardball with their oft-injured star.
“The club acknowledges the reason behind this request from Joe, however he is a contracted player to the Essendon Football Club,” Dodoro’s statement read.
“He is a very highly regarded player at our club and we have advised Joe that ultimately we want him playing for the Bombers in 2020.
“We will remain in contact with Joe’s management over the course of the upcoming AFL trade period.”
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The Bombers are still waiting on an answer from South Australian Orazio Fantasia, who had a beer with Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas recently.
Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro has strong records in the past two trade periods, securing trades for Dylan Shiel, Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad.
If Daniher departs pressure will be on the Dons to find an immediate replacement, given Shaun McKernan, Mitch Brown and Jake Stringer aren’t equipped to lead the forward line.
Daniher was heavily wooed by the Swans prior to the 2012 draft under the father-son rule after his dad Anthony played 115 games for Sydney and 118 for Essendon.
He would be the latest in a long line of big-name key forwards to seek a fresh start in the Harbour City, following in the footsteps of Tony Lockett, Barry Ball and Lance Franklin, who was also cunningly snared by the Swans in late 2013.