Brisbane Lions concede Joe Daniher likely to retire after Grand Final victory

Brisbane Lions have publicly conceded Joe Daniher has likely played his last game at AFL level as they brace the fallout to have a drastic impact on their draft and trade strategy.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 28: Lincoln McCarthy (left) and Joe Daniher of the Lions celebrate during the 2024 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions at The Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brisbane footy boss Danny Daly says the potential retirement of Joe Daniher after a premiership win would not surprise him, suggesting it is a “50-50” decision on whether he continues his career.

Reports of Daniher considering hanging up the boots following Saturday’s grand final surfaced late last week, and the key forward is yet to make a decision on his playing career.

Daly said on SEN he had not spoken to Daniher in the aftermath of the 60-point win over the Swans.

ANALYSIS: WHERE DO LIONS TURN WITHOUT JOE?

“It wasn’t something that surprised me because you know what Joe’s like, he’s a different human being, always thinking different things,” he said.

“It’s one of those ones where we’ll just let the dust settle, let him enjoy the celebrations.

“If you hear what people are talking about and the way he presented himself in the last couple of minutes, I’d be almost thinking that he’s thinking of giving it away.”

Brisbane Lions believe Joe Daniher has played his last AFL game. Picture: Lachie Millard

Daniher kicked 2.4 in the grand final victory against Sydney, capping off a season where he slotted 58 goals.

He is contracted for next season and is just 30 years old and in some of the best form of his career.

Daly said he did not want to rush the star Lion, but with free agency and trade period looming, a retirement would drastically change the way Brisbane approach its list strategy for next season.

“I’ve come to have a great relationship with Joe and I’ve needed to pick my times to ask him to do media and so I feel like I just need to know when the right time is to just grab him and say ‘c’mon mate, what are we doing?’.”

“I’m sure it’ll be towards the end of the week, or early next week, but we’ll see where it all lands.

“We obviously want him to keep playing for our footy club but we also appreciate what he wants to do with his life, so we just need to pick the right time.”

Originally published as Brisbane Lions concede Joe Daniher likely to retire after Grand Final victory