‘Considering his AFL future’: Joe Daniher bombshell rocks Lions on Grand Final eve
A stunning report has caught the AFL world off guard on Grand Final eve with a Brisbane Lions star pondering a shock decision.
Brisbane Lions forward Joe Daniher is reportedly considering retirement ahead of the 2024 AFL Grand Final.
The 30-year-old will be important target for his side against the Sydney Swans but Seven reporter Mitch Cleary has suggested Daniher may look to end his career potentially on a high.
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Daniher, who started his career at Essendon before battling injury, has had a career resurgence at the Lions after he joined the club in 2021.
In the last two years particularly, Daniher has 61 and 56 goals respectively.
But the Lions are reportedly aware that Daniher is contemplating his future despite another year left on his current deal.
The Herald Sun reported the club has been told Daniher is looking at what life after footy could look like for him and his family.
Channel 7 AFL reporter Mitch Cleary reported suggestion on 7News on Friday night.
“We can tell you tonight that speculation is mounting that Brisbane spearhead Joe Daniher is considering his AFL future after tomorrow’s grand final,” Cleary said.
“It’s understood the 30-year-old has spoken to those close to him in recent weeks about whether he would play on in season 2025.
“Daniher is contracted for next year, but those at the club have made no secret in the past as to how much he enjoys living his life in the northern New South Wales beaches, two hours outside of Brisbane.”
The Herald Sun reported that a close member of Daniher’s family had “expressed doubt about the reports”.
But it comes after Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor teased a major announcement on radio earlier this week.
“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.”
Many fans believed it could have to do with the current influx of AFL personalities as Seven bolsters its on-air talent stokes, while other suggested it might have been the 62-year-old Taylor retiring himself.
Maybe this might be it.
Daniher played a huge part on the Lions’ return to a second-straight Grand Final after kicking four majors in his side’s 15.15 (105) to 15.10 (100) semi-final win over the GWS Giants.
The Lions came back from 44-points down with Daniher slotting two goals in the dying minutes of the match.
The 201cm forward has played 203 games over 12 seasons in the AFL, booting 393 goals after he was drafted with the 10th pick of the 2012 draft, joining Essendon under the father-son rule.
His father Anthony was a former AFL fullback who played 115 games for Sydney and 118 for the Bombers.
Daniher played 108 games for the Bombers with 191 goals — he’s kicked 202 in 95 matches for the Lions.
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