Former Gold Coast Suns player Sam Day details how he plans to fill void left by Joe Daniher at Brisbane Lions

Brisbane Lions pre-season recruit Sam Day says he still has enough juice in the tank to be a key player for the reigning premiers as he eyes the vacated role left by Joe Daniher.

Brisbane Lions pre-season recruit Sam Day says he still has enough juice in the tank to be a key player for the reigning premiers as he eyes the vacated ruck-forward role left by retired superstar Joe Daniher.

In his first interview since joining the Lions last month Day, 32, declared his goal was to fill the role – not replace the player – in Brisbane’s high-powered forward line.

Daniher’s shock retirement following the Lions’ breakthrough premiership success in September worked perfectly in Day’s favour, who earlier that month had been cut by the Gold Coast Suns after 14 years and 155 games.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to find him – I think he’s gone right off the grid – but I definitely owe him a big thank you for opening up the spot, that’s for sure,” joked Day.

Former Gold Coast player Sam Day has joined the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Obviously no one is going to be able to replace Joey, he was a special player and athlete. I wouldn’t say I’m going to try and replace him, but in terms of roles that would be my aim, to play as a key forward and then chop out in the ruck.

“I’ve done that plenty of times in my career and it suits me well.”

Day became the third ex-Sun to join Brisbane, following in the footsteps of Jarryd Lyons and Callum Ah Chee, when the Lions signed him as a delisted free agent in the pre-season draft.

The powerful 197cm spearhead was cut by the Suns in September, leaving David Swallow as the only inaugural player still on Gold Coast’s list.

Day said he was somewhat blindsided by the decision, given the form he had shown at AFL level before a plantar fascia injury ended his season in round 17.

“I definitely felt flat,” he said.

“I felt like the club had been building pretty well for a time there and we were on the verge of a bit of success that I was hoping to be a part of, considering I had been part of some pretty tough times.

“Unfortunately they told me a couple of weeks before the season finished that they were going to take the contract off (the table). I was in limbo for a little bit and not sure what I was going to do with myself.

“I felt like I had been playing pretty good footy at AFL level. Unfortunately I did have that (plantar fascia) injury, but I felt I had done enough around the club with the young boys – and my form was good enough when I played AFL – to warrant another year, but not to be.”

Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher celebrate after Brisbane Lions win the AFL Grand Final, defeating the Sydney Swans at the MCG. Picture Lachie Millard

Day was close to best on ground against North Melbourne before his injury – yet another cruel twist in the tale of a player who entered the league with so much promise but was repeatedly betrayed by his body.

There was “the big one” – the dislocated hip in the 2017 pre-season that threatened to end his career – and a swath of medium-term injuries including two knees, two feet, a wrist and hamstring that all kept him off the field for 10-plus weeks at a time.

“It’s just the way the cookie has crumbled pretty much my whole career,” said Day.

“I’d played three games in a row and got a good crack at AFL level for the first time in a few years (before the injury against North). For that to bring it all crumbling down again was very frustrating. It took the wind out of my sails for a bit of time.”

But sometimes a simple change of scenery can do wonders and Day hopes the vaunted Brisbane medical staff – who famously helped revitalise the careers of Daniher and Lincoln McCarthy when they joined the club – can do the same for him.

In a funny twist of fate, Day will also reunite with former Suns head coach Stuart Dew who has replaced the outgoing Murray Davis as the Lions’ forward line coach next season.

“That’s footy for you, isn’t it? People move around a lot and it all happens in swings and roundabouts but I’m pumped,” Day said of the reunion.

Sam Day will aim to fill the void left by former Brisbane player Joe Daniher. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Dewy has been awesome, he was one of the first guys to message me when it was all official.

“He obviously knows a bit of background on me due to the time we spent together at the Suns but hopefully he gets to see a better side of me (at the Lions).

“His first year at the Suns was the first year I came back from my hip injury, so I was just finding my feet again – and then I had some more long-term stuff while he was coaching, so I don’t think he ever really saw my best football.

“But he believed in me and was great for me at the Suns and hopefully we can continue that relationship up here.”

Six months ago, joining the Brisbane Lions would have been one of the last things on Day’s bingo card. But after being starved of success at the Suns, he is hungry to contribute to his new club’s premiership defence in 2025.

“I’m not sure if Fages (coach Chris Fagan) told them they had to be nice to the new guy or whatever it was, but everyone has been great, I feel like I’ve slotted in seamlessly,” Day said.

“It’s only been a week but the way the players have welcomed me in feels like I’ve known a lot of the guys forever.

“Everyone has come back hungry to go again which has been awesome to see.”