Brisbane star Joe Daniher will play on in 2025 despite bombshell retirement rumours on grand final eve, according to famous father Anthony.
7 News’ chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary reported on Friday that the grand final, which the Lions won by 60 points over Sydney, could be Daniher’s swansong, claiming he was ‘considering his AFL future’, despite having a further year to run on his Lions contract.
Daniher produced a typically chaotic performance in the Lions’ premiership triumph, kicking 2.4 but proving crucial around the ground with 16 disposals, eight marks and a game-high 12 score involvements.
Kicking the final goal of the match and being instantly mobbed by jubiliant teammates added fuel to the retirement speculation, with Seven commentator Brian Taylor wondering aloud whether the celebration signified the match would be his swansong.
However, father Anthony, who watched on proudly from the stands as Daniher joined uncles Terry and Chris as a premiership player with the Lions’ win, thinks differently.
“He is just in a very happy place at the moment so he will keep going, he’s all right,” the elder Daniher told News Corp.
“He is that happy, it’s not funny… people read into things but that’s OK.
“Joe is Joe and he’s good to write stories about so let it roll. When you win, you let it roll. [His future] will sort itself out so he will just soak this one up.”
Speaking to Nine on Sunday morning, Lions co-captain Harris Andrews said the club would give Daniher all the time he needs to make his decision.
“We’re so pumped for Joey, he’s a premiership player now, he’s been massive for us and we absolutely love him,” Andrews said.
“However that plays out, it’ll play out. We can’t control that. We know that Joey’s got a lot more going on than necessarily just football, but I couldn’t be happier for him.
“At the end of the day, it’s his decision. We respect that regardless… we’ll just enjoy this for the moment, and whatever happens, happens.”
Daniher’s efforts this season were good enough for selection in the 44-man All-Australian squad for the second consecutive season.
“It’s understood the 30-year-old has spoken to those close with him in recent weeks about whether he will play on in season 2025,” Cleary told 7 News Melbourne on Friday.
“Daniher is contracted for next year, but those at the club have made no secret in the past as to how much he enjoys living his life in the northern NSW beaches, two hours outside of Brisbane.”
The son of Sydney and Essendon great Anthony, Daniher was selected by the Bombers under the father-son rule at the 2012 national draft, making his debut the next year.
A shining light amid the Bombers’ infamous supplements saga, Daniher was selected for his sole All-Australian team after a 65-goal season in 2017, but struggled with injuries for the remainder of his time at the club, managing just 15 games in his final three seasons.
He requested a trade to the Swans at the conclusion of 2019, but the Bombers opted to hold him to his contract after a deal couldn’t be struck during that season’s trade period; however, with his contract expiring just 12 months later, Daniher elected to join the Lions as a free agent.
He has missed just six games in four seasons as a Lion – all in 2022 – while his two goals on grand final day took his 2024 tally to 58.
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