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Lion Joe Daniher’s attempted shot at goal goes horribly wrong

The Brisbane Lions needed to beat St Kilda on Saturday to boost their premiership hopes, but got off to a dreadful start at the Gabba.

Joe Daniher's miss and inset, Chris Fagan
Joe Daniher's miss and inset, Chris Fagan

Joe Daniher is a key member of the Brisbane Lions and will be crucial to their hopes of snapping a long premiership drought over the next month.

But on Saturday, Daniher proved he still has a rare ability to pull off the borderline impossible — and not in a good way.

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The Lions went into the home clash with St Kilda knowing a win would cap an unbeaten season at the Gabba and, more importantly, just about guarantee a top-two finish.

For a club that hasn’t won a flag since its three-peat of titles ended in 2003, finishing first or second has a significant home advantage through the finals series.

Straight goalkicking has not always been Joe Daniher’s forte. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Straight goalkicking has not always been Joe Daniher’s forte. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Already trailing by a goal early in the first quarter, Daniher took a strong overhead pack mark right on the edge of the goalsquare as the Lions attempted to hit straight back.

Sadly, Daniher had other ideas.

“Daniher for 50 goals for the season,” Mark Howard said in commentary, assuming like everyone else at the ground or watching on TV he was about to slot the easiest of goals.

“He hits the post from point blank!”

Yes Daniher managed to shank his left-foot attempt into the right-hand post.

“That’s a bit of old Joe,” former Lions forward Alastair Lynch said. “He’s been much more consistent this year.

“Here’s this miss here. Oh, no good.”

Goalkicking great Jason Dunstall also chimed in from the commentary box.

“That was a horrible ball drop,” Dunstall said.

“It’s harder to miss than kick it from there.”

As is customary in footy, it immediately led to conjecture over the worst shots on goal this season.

Fox Footy labelled it “a contender for the worst miss of the year” on social media.

Others insisted Daniher’s shocker would not be beaten.

Spraying set shots has been a recurring issue for Daniher, who joined the Lions from Essendon on a multimillion-dollar deal ahead of the 2021 season.

Some fans came to his defence, however, stating Carlton’s Harry McKay actually managed a worse attempt earlier this season.

Back in round four, McKay took a mark in the fourth quarter against North Melbourne and opted to play on.

Running into an open goalsquare on an angle, McKay was touched as he went to kick and sent an attempt from about one metre out across the face and out of bounds on the full.

While Daniher’s effort against the Saints wasn’t too costly in the end in a 12-point victory, Lions fans will be hoping his yips don’t reappear deep in September.

Read related topics:Brisbane

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/lion-joe-danihers-attempted-shot-at-goal-goes-horribly-wrong/news-story/34c3bb8eaccacdd5946a15742da4abef