Joe Daniher makes huge call on his playing future

Joe Daniher has become the second Bomber in as many days to tell Essendon he’s leaving the club for greener pastures.

Joe Daniher is heading north.

AFL star Joe Daniher has reportedly told Essendon he wants to quit the club and join the Brisbane Lions.

The key forward’s future has been a hot topic as the season winds down and Daniher has decided he wants to play in the Queensland capital in 2021.

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The call comes a day after Bombers defender Adam Saad notified the club of his intention to leave and sign with Carlton during the upcoming trade period.

Daniher sought a trade to Sydney at the end of last season but the two clubs couldn’t reach a deal and the 26-year-old was forced to remain at Tullamarine.

But after another injury-plagued year — Daniher has played just 15 games in the past three seasons — he will finally get his wish to leave Melbourne.

Channel 7’s Tom Browne reported: “Daniher’s management has confirmed. It’s completely official. Joe Daniher has requested to leave Essendon and join the Lions.”

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Daniher wants out.

The Lions were the frontrunner to secure Daniher’s services as whispers about his desire to head north did the rounds in recent weeks.

The left-footer, who debuted for Essendon in 2013, is a restricted free agent, meaning the Dons have the option to match Brisbane’s offer and force the Lions to strike a trade.

Daniher is reportedly fed up with spending so much time on the sidelines because of injury and is hopeful a fresh start in the Sunshine State — and fresh medical advice at a new club — will reinvigorate his career.

Daniher’s departure is another cruel blow for Essendon after Saad requested a move to Carlton on Tuesday. The rebounding defender has secured top-three finishes in the club’s best-and-fairest for the past two years and despite a monster five-year offer sitting on the table, opted to snub the team he joined from the Gold Coast in 2018.

Saad is reportedly concerned with the direction Essendon is heading in and, combined with Daniher’s desire to leave, the reputation of the Bombers — who haven’t won a finals match since 2004 — is taking a serious hit.

That Saad believes he is a better chance of tasting success at the Blues — who are in the midst of their own lengthy finals drought — over Essendon is also a damning indictment on the club.