Wantaway Essendon forward Joe Daniher has nominated the Brisbane Lions as his preferred destination in the upcoming trade period, one year after his requested move to Sydney fell through.
Given the 26-year-old forward is a restricted free agent, there appears to be little the notoriously uncooperative Bombers can do to stop him from moving to the Sunshine state.
» Stay up to date with the latest AFL trade rumours here.
According to AFL.com.au, Brisbane’s renowned medical team – who did superb work to rejuvenate the career of Lincoln McCarthy – got them over the line compared to Geelong, Sydney and his current club.
The son of Anthony Daniher, who played over 100 games for both Sydney and Essendon, Joe was selected with pick 10 in the 2012 draft under the father-son rule. He made his debut in 2013 and played five games for the season, kicking 3.9.
He steadily improved over the next three seasons, playing 65 of a possible 67 games, and finishing with tallies of 28, 34 and 43 goals, before having a breakout year in 2017.
That stellar 2017 campaign saw him kick 65 goals, win the ANZAC Day medal, club best and fairest and mark of the year, but injuries have restricted him to just 18 goals in 15 games since.
Daniher requested a trade to the Swans at the end of 2019, but Sydney’s offer of two first-round picks wasn’t enough for the Bombers, who reportedly demanded the likes of Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills or Nick Blakey in return.
The news comes the day after out-of-contract defender Adam Saad requested a trade to Carlton.
The Dons are also considered likely to lose Orazio Fantasia to a South Australian club, while trade rumours are also surrounding the likes of Zach Merrett, Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley.
An official announcement by Daniher and a statement by the club are expected within the next 24 hours.
Jorge of Brisvegas
Roar Rookie
Based on the recent comment from Brisbane is that they won’t trade for Daniher, that is great. Disco Dodoro will be left with no games to play and no media time. Daniher(when fit and firing) is exactly who Brisbane need but they are not willing to risk losing hard fought ground gained to get the holy grail. Daniher will not stay at Essendon this year. Essendon will choose something or both they and Lions lose ...... plus giving Sydney something for nothing . No drama here .
Aransan
Roar Rookie
I think Essendon’s argument would be that the incentives for years 2 to 5, say $10k a game, would make the contract roughly equivalent to $800k a season.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
They will have to make a judgment on what band they would get and act accordingly.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
No, but it makes any positive thing he says about Joe joining Brisbane a little two faced though.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
I reckon Mitch would beat Lynch hands down...........or maybe not, considering the type of contest!
Luke
Guest
The thing is, they have to accept or not without knowing what puck they will get.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Surely Brisbane aren’t going to pay Daniher $750K + pa (thereby qualifying for Band 1 compo)? Any negotiations at present will be based on current salary cap and adjusted accordingly when the AFL determines future salary cap and player numbers?
Larry Longshaft
Roar Rookie
Nah, he’d still think Lynch would win a ten men jerk comp( and come 2nd also)
DTM
Roar Rookie
Easy in hindsight but they should have done a deal last year.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Joe's a nice lad. Wasn't his fault his family played for Essendon.
Dean
Guest
Doesn't look like they'll be any better as their spine ages and departs, but that happened this year, not sure they can get much worse than they already are.
Shane
Guest
Depends on his injury status. He is certainly a better prospect than Daniher - he kicked over sixty goals in the previous three seasons in a pretty woeful side.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Probably. Doesn't make Mitch wrong about Lynch though.
Aransan
Roar Rookie
If Essendon are offered band 2 I believe they will match the offer. They need a near mid first round draft pick for Daniher.
Eddie from Elwood
Roar Rookie
Wonder what Mitch Robinson thinks? Is his potential new team mate as bigger w....r as Lynch? After all, he looks to be chasing a Premiership.
Paul2
Guest
@ Aransan I agree the Lions will try to get the contract offer over the Band 1 threshold if they can. That said, presumably the AFL is wise to clubs gaming the system by front-loading contracts (perhaps I'm being naive on this point). It's also possible that the Lions will want to backload a large part of the contract if they're already near their cap in 2021 and 2022. Anyway, for no other reason than to keep me entertained in the off-season, I hope Essendon are offered Band 2, and then match Brisbane's contract to force a trade.
Luke
Guest
Exactly, highly over rated
Luke
Guest
And Hawthorn got pick 20 for franklin
Luke
Guest
They won’t get pick 7, more likely end of first round pick, which is pick 20
Luke
Guest
This is what drives me nuts about Essendon. They think he’s worth two first round picks and a star and he’s played a few games in three years. What a joke. They held him ransom last year and might do the same this year. If they do, guarantee no player will want to go there.