Suddenly, things look bright for Daniher, Bombers

ESSENDON remains in with a fighting chance. While the battle to retain prized spearhead Joe Daniher has been far from won, there are two significantly encouraging signs the full forward may yet stay.

Firstly, Daniher, 26, will make his return on Thursday night confident his rebuilt groins are strong enough to compete at the top level.

And secondly, the club and Daniher’s manager, Nigel Carmody, have been having some informal talks recently about a new deal. Plenty of water is yet to flow under that important bridge, but if Daniher’s mind was already made up — which it isn’t — those crucial conversations wouldn’t take place.

While only Daniher himself knows the specifics, clearly the odds have shortened since November last year that the star goalkicker will remain.

There is a pulse on a contract extension.

For 12 months, Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro has been adamant the club wants Daniher, and if he had to find a replacement in this exchange period North Melbourne’s Ben Brown and Gold Coast’s Peter Wright look the most available options.

But what matters most for Daniher is what takes place on the field over the next five matches, starting on Thursday night against Hawthorn.

If he breaks down again, which would be the third time in three years, it is curtains for Essendon and its father-son spearhead. Not only would he weigh up moves to either Sydney Swans, Brisbane Lions or Geelong, you’d question whether he wants to play at all.

It is why it has been such a high-stakes rehabilitation. The club has been incredibly cautious this time around, resisting the temptation to play him over the past two months, even as he inched to full fitness.

Essendon sent him to Ireland to consult a groin specialist and spared no expense in partnership with Sean Murphy, Essendon’s head of fitness, who came across from Hawthorn last year.

Importantly, the club kept its nerve when he suffered the recent calf setback. No toys were thrown from either cot.

But this is it. Essendon will want Daniher to simply enjoy getting a kick against the Hawks. Experience the butterflies, the banter and the buzz of running out there.

“We’re really excited that Joe has done the work to be available,” coach John Worsfold said. “He’s very comfortable and excited about getting back out there.”