Joe’s going to get a hug
ESSENDON players and powerbrokers will quickly throw their arms around spearhead Joe Daniher to erase any lingering embarrassment or disappointment from his failed trade request.
The club is planning to rally around the gun goalkicker when he returns from an overseas holiday in a fortnight and resumes his recovery from his nightmare groin problems at training next month.
Senior Essendon figures including coach-in-waiting Ben Rutten plan to meet Daniher to help address any ongoing concerns he has with the club after asking to join Sydney.
Importantly, the Bombers are confident its revamped strength and conditioning department will help the 25-yearold return to his best next season and steer it towards a drought-breaking finals win.
Daniher could also be removed from the leadership group if it helps him focus on his own recovery after two injury-plagued seasons.
Essendon list chief Adrian Dodoro yesterday said the healing has already begun after a 40-minute phone call with the father-son gem to explain the call to keep him.
Dodoro said the motivation behind Daniher’s trade request “was about lifestyle” rather than any specific club issues.
“The great thing is every single player at the club is rapt that he is staying and have reached out,” Dodoro said on SEN. “He’ll have the love and support of everyone at the club. He does not have an issue with anyone at the Essendon Football Club. It’s about lifestyle for him and wanting to change environments — that’s our reading of it.”
Dodoro said the Swans refused to officially put pick five on the table for Daniher, instead offering pick nine and a future first-rounder.
Essendon has steadily built its list in the wake of the crippling drugs crisis and was not prepared to cede Daniher without a replacement star player from the Swans, such as Nick Blakey.
But Dodoro was optimistic the club can change Daniher’s mind about leaving again next year once he helps the Bombers win games in 2020.
Daniher will qualify for free agency next year, but the Bombers could match a bid from the Swans to secure more attractive compensation.
It’s what Adelaide did to claim multiple picks and a player from Geelong for Paddy Dangerfield in 2015.
“He put his case forward and we just couldn’t get the deal done in the end and he understands the reasons why,” Dodoro said.
“Obviously he’s going to be a little bit disappointed, but by the same token we know he’ll get up tomorrow and the sun will shine, and we’re looking forward to him having a great year next year. We think that we’re in a terrific window and hopefully the excitement of 2020 will help Joey overcome his disappointment.”