AFL grand final 2024: Joe Daniher still coy on retirement as captain, Dad indicate he will play on

Joe Daniher’s captain Harris Andrews and father Anthony said all signs pointed to the playing on in 2025, but the man himself was nowhere to be found to answer the question on his future. JON RALPH has the latest.

Joe Daniher’s father Anthony believes his brilliant son will play on next year as co-captain Harris Andrews spoke of his joy at the 30-year-old being able to make his decision with a premiership around his neck.

Daniher will consider his future in coming days despite a million dollar contract for 2025, having had conversations with the Lions about his football future.

Daniher had another Daniher-esque afternoon with 2.4, some quality time in the ruck and the massive set shot goal that sparked a six-goal run within 13 minutes deep in the second quarter.

Joe Daniher with senior coach Chris Fagan after the final siren at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein

Daniher took part in the team song before immediately leaving the rooms, poking his head back out after half an hour but retreating again when he saw the media and crowds still in the room.

Speaking to the Herald Sun post-match, father Anthony said he was thrilled for his son after his journey across a football career that started at Essendon.

Father Anthony played 115 games with Sydney and then 118 with Essendon and had to speak for his son given he quickly disappeared from public view after singing the Brisbane theme song.

Asked if his son would retire, he told News Corp: ”No, he is just in a very happy place at the moment so he will keep going, he’s all right. He is that happy, it’s not funny, It’s a super (work-life) balance. People read into things but that’s OK. Joe is Joe and he’s good to write stories about so let it roll. When you win, you let it roll. (His future) will sort itself out so he will just soak this one up.

“It’s been hard work to get there and they missed out last year by so little. To get back and win it like that, I am so happy for the whole team. I am so happy for Joe. He has worked his arse off to get into this position and we will soak this one up and enjoy it.”

Harris Andrews, Lachie Neale and Joe Daniher celebrate winning the AFL Grand Final after defeating the Sydney Swans at the MCG. Picture Lachie Millard

Andrews said he was thrilled Daniher had a choice in his career to consider his future without the pressure of having another premiership elude him.

“Absolutely. At the end of the day Joe’s a lot more than a footballer. He’s an unbelievable human being. He’s got a great young family. Whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day he’s a premiership player. I am sure that will all play out in the next couple of days but we just love him at our football club,” he said.

“There are all different types of footballers, I probably lean into being a footballer more than maybe others. But for Joe, there’s so much else outside the football world. We just love what he brings to the footy club. He’s a seriously underrated leader and someone that I’ve lent on throughout the last couple of years with my leadership.

“He is so invested and I am so happy for him, because he’s trying his hardest. It might not necessarily look that way all the time. He brings a little chaos from time to time but he’s so good for our club and I am just so happy that he’s a premiership player now.”

Originally published as AFL grand final 2024: Joe Daniher still coy on retirement as captain, Dad indicate he will play on