AFL 2023: Joe Daniher’s big role in the Lions’ quest for glory

The enigmatic version of Joe Daniher was on full display against St Kilda, and finding out which version of the forward we will get in the finals may be the key to Brisbane’s hunt for the flag.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 26: Joe Daniher of the Lions celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 24 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and St Kilda Saints at The Gabba, on August 26, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

If Joe Daniher rediscovers his radar then good luck to any team that has to travel to the Gabba next month.

Brisbane’s nonchalant star forward took fans on a wild ride on Saturday afternoon and his teammates tagged along.

The bumpiest was no doubt when he cannoned a shot into the point post from 12 metres out directly in front during the first quarter.

The Gabba crowd murmured with bemusement for the next minute or more and similar exclamations could be heard for the remainder of the first half as the Lions’ profligacy in front of goal kept St Kilda in the contest.

Brisbane’s spearhead ended the half with a dash into the goalsquare to open his account after some impressive bodywork to create space.

That put the Lions 14 points up at the main break but if not for their wayward goal kicking it could have looked much like the one-way traffic at the MCG on Friday night.

The big Lion had arguably the worst miss of the season early on. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“We didn’t start well … when Joe missed from the 10m square,” joked Fagan after the 12-point win that clinched a top-two spot.

“I did say something to him as we were walking off. He goes, ‘Oh, I haven’t done that too much in my career’. I said, ‘You should never have done that’.

“Anyway, we had a bit of a laugh.”

The Saints’ typically stingy defence was picked apart by brilliant Brisbane ball movement betrayed only by an inability to put it between the big sticks.

As so often is the case the hosts’ inaccuracy came back to bite them early in the third term when the Saints hit a purple patch and – incredibly – hit the front, despite being dominated in almost every major statistical category.

When Tim Membrey snapped on the run early in the final term to draw St Kilda within a point a Gabba defeat – something foreign to Brisbane all season – suddenly seemed a genuine possibility.

Enter Joe.

A monster grab from three deep preceded a ‘simple’ set shot from twenty out that had everyone in the stands holding their breath, but the big man duly delivered.

Moments later he picked the ball up from his bootstraps in traffic and narrowly missed a third before a flying boot in the goalsquare was touched inches from the line.

Brisbane needed a spark and Daniher’s second goal delivered it.

His two-goal return on investment would not suggest it, but this is the best version we have seen of him in a Brisbane jumper – and it’s come at just the right time.

Daniher could hold the key to Brisbane’s premiership pursuit. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“He’s a spectacular player,” fellow forward Cam Rayner told this masthead.

“But I think the best thing about Joe – and you can see it in his nature – is he’s really laid back. I think that’s a great strength of his, because if he does miss one of those (from directly in front) in his head all he’s thinking is he’ll get another opportunity to make amends.

“He got another one (set shot) down the other end and a lot of people would be standing over that and feel a bit choppy about it, but he put it through and that’s why we back him in. He gives so much to the team.

“I really think this year has been his best year. Just his ability to go up the ground and help Oscar (McInerney) out has been really good.”

This season is comfortably his best return since 2017 and with a month left to run it could be the one he is remembered for.

The Lions brought Daniher to the club to make a difference in September and he’s primed to prove them right.

Let’s just hope he – and his teammates – pack their goal kicking boots.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Joe Daniher’s big role in the Lions’ quest for glory