AFL grand final hero Joe Daniher makes shock announcement after letting his teammates in on the secret during their wild celebrations
- Brisbane Lions star hid news from fans before they decided
- Joe Daniher is only 30 and has one year left on his contract
Brisbane Lions premier Joe Daniher has withdrawn from the AFL with a year left on his contract.
The 30-year-old told his teammates about his decision during the flag celebration after the 60-point upset against Sydney in the grand final last Saturday.
Since the eve of the season decider, speculation has swirled about Daniher considering his playing future.
Daniher had remained tight-lipped in the days following his influential performance in the Lions’ win, where he scored 2.4 from 16 disposals.
News of his decision to retire after 204 games came to light on Thursday.
Daniher made 96 appearances for Brisbane after joining the club ahead of the 2021 season.
He played 108 games in eight seasons with Essendon after being drafted under the father-son rule.
His father Anthony Daniher played 118 games with the Bombers and 115 with the Swans.
Joe Daniher (pictured receiving his premiership medal after beating the Swans in the Grand Final) has shocked football fans by retiring from football aged just 30
The Lions pistol had the game of his life in the AFL decider (pictured)
Daniher enjoyed a great individual finals series as the Lions won four games in a row to become only the second team to lift the flag from outside the top four under the current finals system.
The key striker scored eight goals in four cutthroat finals and was called into action when Oscar McInerney was injured in the preliminary final.
Daniher’s retirement ensures that a remarkable AFL run will continue; no premiership team has ever played together as a whole again after their grand final victory.
“Daniher, who was contracted until 2025, informed the club on Thursday that after 204 games and 395 goals in 12 seasons, he will call time on his career,” the Lions said in a statement on Thursday.
‘The star striker began his journey at Essendon as a father-son selection in the 2012 national draft before arriving in Brisbane for the 2021 season.
“Now the 30-year-old hangs up his boots as a premiership player, All-Australian, Crichton Medal winner as Essendon’s Best and Fairest and an Anzac Medalist.”
Brisbane will also be without Murray Davis next season after the long-time assistant coach left to take up a newly created role as Adelaide’s Coaching Director.