After much rumour and speculation, Essendon have confirmed that star key forward Joe Daniher will seek a trade out of the club, with his destination the Sydney Swans.
Essendon released a statement on their website on Saturday afternoon which confirmed that Daniher would seek a trade, but the comments provided from list manager Adrian Dodoro suggested Essendon will be reticent to make a deal.
“The club acknowledges the reason behind this request from Joe, however he is a contracted player to the Essendon Football Club,” Dodoro said.
“He is a very highly regarded player at our club, and we have advised Joe that ultimately we want him playing for the Bombers in 2020.
“We will remain in contact with Joe’s management over the course of the upcoming AFL Trade Period.”
These comments appear unlikely to be backed up with action however and instead it does seem likely that deal will get done, though for what price remains very much unclear.
Daniher is undoubtedly one of the most valuable talents in the AFL, as shown in his 2017 season when he kicked 65 goals and was named All Australian.
However, Daniher has struggled injury in the two seasons since, leading to doubts about his longevity in the game.
He has played just 11 games and kicked 15 goals in the last two seasons, making it difficult to assess his trade value.
Sydney currently have pick 5, 25 and 42 inside the first three rounds, and are also likely to gain Carlton’s pick 9 via a deal for Tom Papley.
That should give them more than enough currency to get a deal done, but it will come down to how much they are willing to spend, and how little Essendon are willing to accept.
The Bombers are also reportedly likely to see a trade request made by South Australian small forward Orazio Fantasia this offseason, however this is yet to occur.
In other AFL trade news from Saturday, Brandon Ellis is now officially a Gold Coast Suns player after the Richmond Tigers declined to match Gold Coast’s five-year contract offer to the two-time premiership winner.
Richmond received a second-round pick as compensation for Ellis’ departure, which is currently pick No.39 overall.
The Brisbane Lions have also officially signed unrestricted free agent Cam Ellis-Yolmen on a three-year deal from Adelaide.
The Crows received a third-round pick as compensation, currently No.47.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Yes, and I think Neil and Chris were part of the package with Anthony and Terry getting to Essendon. I did go to the only AFL game where the four brothers played together. Terry of course played many games for Essendon and was captain, we never saw the best of Neil with his three knee reconstructions and of course he has played the leading role in the fight against MND. The Daniher family were from Ungarie and the four football brothers were all born in the West Wyalong Base Hospital.
Sylvester
Roar Rookie
I’m just here to let the Bombers fans know that you should be happy to receive pick 5, and pick 5 only. Get his ridiculous salary off your books and be thankful you won’t be the ones offering him an extension when he’s due.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
So pretty big family connection there then.
shifty
Roar Rookie
Daniher wants to move to Sydney for a lifestyle change, ie to get out of the Melbourne bubble. Therefore he should be open to the trade which gets Essendon the best deal.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Coaching is so much different to playing. I don't know if you realize this but it is the player trading period. All this discussion is about players. There are only 18 coaching positions but over 600 players. Have a bit of a read for a while. Maybe you can get a handle on it.
Simoc
Guest
I think Joes father is Tony, whom I have partied out with in regional NSW (Condobolin is close to Ungarie). The family has a history with Essendon and Sydney so I expect the deal to be done.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I think Lloyd is only second to Cornes in chasing a headline.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Unless they swapped Cameron for Daniher.
Macca
Roar Rookie
19th in the league for goal assists, 24th for score involvements & 23rd for goals for a team that was 4th last for goals scored and 3rd last for shots at goal is pretty valuable. Papley is more valuable to the blues than most other teams
Slane
Guest
Are you sure he isn't leaving Essendon because the Bombers all rate him as a divine being? Maybe the pressure of being held in such high regard is one of the reasons he is leaving? Matty Lloyd certainly thinks so.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Daniher wouldn't want to go to Sydney if that was the level he was rated at by them.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
The mistake GWS continue to make is to draft high draft picks which they continue to get when they have to trade out players to stay under their salary cap. GWS would do better to trade their high picks for good players who won't bust their salary cap. Getting Daniher doesn't make any sense at all.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
Uncle Terry played for South Melbourne.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
One surgery on each groin? Foot injuries? Daniher wants to go now, he might have different thoughts about Sydney if they don't value him highly.
Jim Prideaux
Roar Rookie
It’s not though is it. Kelly wants to go home to WA, both teams would like to have him. If going to WA is what he wants, then the club is secondary. Daniher wants to go to the Swans as he has connections there, the swans want him, GWS don’t want him, have expressed no interest in him and will more than likely send an almost identical player away for next to nothing such is the plethora of KPFs they have.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Freo with Lyon is evidence of that.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Papley is worth a late 2nd rounder or early 3rd rounder. Just a gutsy half forward. Dime a dozen. I don't get this one.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Surely we have all the evidence we need for clubs to not give long contracts.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
Long contract he needs to break is the only reason man.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
How on earth has Papley become worth so much? What has he done to make him worth more than a second rounder?