Daniher patience put to test
ESSENDON will have to make its finals charge without Joe Daniher, the reigning bestand-fairest winner still some time from an AFL return.
But Aaron Francis is close to a return after an excellent four-week block as an intercept marking defender.
Daniher (groin) is still listed as 2-3 weeks from an AFL comeback as the 4-7 Bombers take on Brisbane at the Gabba this Sunday. He conceded yesterday his recovery was slower than expected, with the Bombers spearhead yet to start running.
Daniher yesterday presented a cheque to uncle Neale Daniher from the Bombers ahead of Monday’s Big Freeze clash at the MCG.
“It’s probably a little slower than I’d like, as any footballer that’s on the sidelines has that feeling where you try and push to get back as quick as possible, but I’m fully understanding I need to get this right to have the best chance of succeeding at the back end of the year,” Daniher said “Hopefully that includes some finals footy for our club and we keep winning.
“With any injury you get a little bit of pain, but I know how much is good pain and I know how much is too much. I’ve had it for a little while now and I’m looking forward to putting it behind me.”
Francis missed the early part of the season with mental health issues, only months after an aborted trade back to Adelaide. Yet he has averaged 110 ranking points in the past month along with 11 intercept possessions and six intercept marks.
Last week in the VFL against Footscray, he had 104 ranking points, 17 disposals (10 contested), 12 intercept possessions and five intercept marks.
Brisbane doesn’t boast a tall forward line but at some stage the Dons will need to reward Francis’s form.
Bombers coach John Worsfold said in February when Francis took time from the game he hadn’t been happy for a long time.
“It’s obviously pretty sensitive, but Aaron hasn’t been really happy — as in what we would define as happy — for a long time,” he said. “He loves the game, he loves the Essendon Football Club, but however it all works, he hasn’t been happy coming to training and he hasn’t been able to work out why.”