Brisbane Lions star Joe Daniher ends speculation by announcing his retirement

Brisbane Lions star and grand final hero Joe Daniher has made a long-awaited call on his future.

Joe Daniher has confirmed his retirement. Picture: David Caird

An “extremely proud” and “tremendously grateful” Joe Daniher has called time on his AFL career.

The 30-year-old forward, who is still celebrating winning the premiership with the Brisbane Lions, has ended speculation about his future by confirming his retirement.

The former Essendon star, who still had a year to run on his Lions contract, informed his Brisbane teammates of his intention to quit football just hours before the club’s awards night on Thursday with the news confirmed via a club statement.

Daniher, who played 204 games with first Essendon then the Lions, didn’t explain why he had retired with a year to go on a contract with up to $800,000.

He said only that he “gave my absolute all to the Brisbane Lions and Essendon” as he ended his career just days after his team’s premiership victory.

“I retire knowing I gave my absolute all to the Brisbane Lions and Essendon, and I am extremely proud of what I achieved individually and as a team,” Daniher said.

“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunities given to me by both Brisbane and Essendon and I want to thank both clubs and their incredible fans for their support.

“It’s been an incredible journey here at the Brisbane Lions to go from a club that was really struggling at the bottom of the ladder to winning a premiership.

Joe Daniher right) celebrates Brisbane’s AFL grand final win with Lions co-captains Harris Andrews (left) and Lachie Neale. Picture: David Caird

“As I finish up my career, I do so with the club in a great position on and off the field, and I can’t wait to see the Brisbane Lions experience more success in the future.

“I am beyond excited by the squad we have at the Lions,and especially the young talent we have coming through that are the future stars of this club.

“I want to thank everyone that has played a part in my AFL career and helping me become the player and person I am today.”

Daniher made his AFL debut in 2013 for the Bombers and was named in the All-Australian team in 2017 in a season that included 65 of his 395 goals.

Speculation emerged a couple of days before Saturday’s grand final between Brisbane and Sydney at the MCG that Daniher would retire after the match.

He fittingly kicked the final goal in the Lions’ 60-point thrashing of the Swans.

Lions football boss Danny Daly gave a bit more insight in to the reason for the decision, saying that Dainher “didn’t have it in him anymore”.

“He just felt like he didn’t have it in him anymore, to do a full pre-season, couldn’t see himself giving 100 per cent commitment and the time was right for him,” Daly said.

“Once that happens, it is what it is, and that’s where his mind was at.”

Farewell to one of the games finest! 🫶https://t.co/jRZvAsWBPx

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) October 3, 2024

Daly said the club was saying goodbye to Daniher with “mixed emotions”.

“Joe is a generational type of player that will go down as one of the best forwards to have played AFL,” Daly said.

“We are extremely privileged that he played for the Brisbane Lions because he was a huge key to us experiencing the success we have and winning the premiership.

“What I love about Joey is that he has done it his way his whole career and in doing so has become a much-loved cult figure of our club and the AFL.

“We are sad to see him hang up the boots and call time on his career, but he does so with the full blessing of everyone at the Brisbane Lions.

“On behalf of the club I would like to thank Joe, his wonderful wife Adele and their families for all they have given to the Brisbane Lions and wish them all the best.”

Joe Daniher celebrates Brisbane’s grand final win. Picture: Jason Edwards

Meanwhile, the Lions will also be searching for a new assistant coach following Murray Davis’ decision to leave Brisbane to become coaching director of the Adelaide Crows.

Davis spent 13 years as an assistant coach with the Lions.

“To leave on such a high with the club in an incredibly strong position and as a premiership assistant coach is very special to me,” he said.

“I’ve learnt so many life and football lessons, and I’ll be forever grateful for the journey this football club has taken me on.

“It’s been a difficult decision due to the connections I’ve built over my time, yet I leave knowing the club is in great hands.”

Daly said: “Murray has been an extremely valuable member of our club for more than a decade and we are forever grateful for what he has given us.

“He has played a vital role in helping the club go from bottom of the ladder to premiers, especially working with our defenders and forwards.

“As a club you never want to see good people go, however, after 13 years we understand Murray’s reasons for wanting to take on a new challenge.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions star Joe Daniher ends speculation by announcing his retirement