Joe Daniher kicks four goals in stunning Lions debut

Essendon fans may already be thinking what could have been after one of the club’s former biggest names went bonkers on debut.

Joe Daniher is loving life on the coast.

Joe Daniher has had the perfect first hit out for the Brisbane Lions, booting four goals and three behinds on debut after moving from Essendon in the off-season.

While only so much can be garnered from a pre-season match, the injury prone forward gave his new side a boost with a strong performance upfront with four goals as the Lions blew out the Gold Coast Suns 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55).

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Already being played behind closed doors with a live stream deemed to conflict with the Suns’ AFLW side, social media was still keeping an eye on the AFL trial and the big name recruit.

After coach Chris Fagan said he would be looking for plenty of game time before the season starts, Daniher was going to be thrown in the deep end at his new club.

And he didn’t disappoint, taking some strong marks, including a goal from outside 50 from his first touch in his new colours.

Joe Daniher was looking damn good for the Lions.

Looking comfy in the new colours.

He kicked a second just minutes later before adding one each in the second and third terms.

Daniher had a break to start the fourth quarter but the early indications were good for the Lions.

Hipwood and Daniher already combining well. Nice little hanger from Joe and his Moe.#[e-mail]/juMeoakHzg

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) February 27, 2021

Joe Daniher was on fire against the Suns, could easily have booted five in the first half. Personally, I’d like to see him put together a body of games / work. But he’s on track.

— Tom Browne (@TomBrowne7) February 27, 2021

It’s what @brisbanelions go to bed dreaming of each night....
Rayner ➡️ Neale ➡️ Daniher = Goal.
Happened in opening 10sec of scratch match against @GoldCoastSUNS
See it tonight @7NewsBrisbane#uncaged#afl#7afl

— Ben Davis (@BenDavis74) February 27, 2021

Joey Daniher 🤩

— Bobby Robinson (@MitchRobinson05) February 27, 2021

After 3 quarters, Daniher and Hipwood 4 goals each. pic.twitter.com/9bB6uOujjL

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) February 27, 2021

Joining a side that has finished minor premiers and second on the ladder over the past two seasons but fallen short of a Grand Final, Daniher has already been slotting in well to his new team.

Daniher has had a brutal past three seasons with the Bombers, playing just 15 games due to injury but was a strong trade target.

The Swans wanted him for 2020, but it was shut down by Essendon, but after four games last season, the club let him go to Brisbane, getting a first-round pick as compensation.

Happy days for big Joe.

Lions skipper Dane Zorko said last month that he believed Daniher would flourish away from the spotlight in AFL-crazy Melbourne.

“Since the season finished Joe stayed up here the whole time, so he’s been around the group the past three months, training with them and has fitted in absolutely seamlessly,” Zorko said.

“He’s fitted into this lifestyle really well. He seems to be a guy that likes to just float undercover as much as possible and get his work done, and he’s been able to do that here.

“I’m really glad that he could come up here and enjoy his football again, and mingle with the guys which he’s done already.

“He’s been around most of the guys’ families as well and everyone loves him and his partner, so they’re really great additions to our football club.”