It took Joe Daniher just one season to know he was “All In” at the Lions.
With two years still to run on the original deal that lured the former All-Australian to Brisbane, the 27-year-old has now put pen to paper on a new contract that will see him lighting up the Gabba crowd until the end of 2025.
After managing just 15 games over three years before heading North, Daniher’s 2021 campaign for the Lions was one of the best of his career.
He played a record 24 games and his return of 46 goals was second only to his 2017 feats where he claimed All-Australian honours and was Essendon’s Club Champion.
He booted bags of four against Geelong, West Coast and Fremantle and added two or more goals in 16 games.
He also kicked a goal in every game of the home and away season, a feat that hasn’t been completed since he achieved it in that stunning 2017 season with the Bombers.
Daniher said although he still felt like the new kid on the block, he was thoroughly enjoying his time at the Lions and had no hesitation committing to a long-term deal that could see him pass 100 games for the Club.
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"It's been fantastic,” he said.
“I’m really enjoying the place, really enjoying the city. The team and club itself is in great shape."
Although carrying one of the most famous surnames in footy, Daniher was not required to be the headline act in his first year at the Gabba.
In 2021 the Lions had the best spread of goalkickers in the competition with six players, Charlie Cameron (55), Daniher, Linc McCarthy (36), Zac Bailey (31), Dan McStay (28) and Eric Hipwood (26) all kicking more than 25 goals.
He said it was a thrill going to work knowing he had a front row vantage point to watch some of the competition’s most exciting players and he considered it a job well done each week if he was able to help individuals or the team improve.
"I think I'm at the stage of my career where my role is to have the biggest influence on the group as I can and that's something I'm always consistently trying to do,’’ he said.
“Whether that be trying to help the processes and the way that we play or imparting that knowledge on the rest of the team.
“Basically, it comes down to being the best teammate I can be throughout the week and on game day.
“That's my role and that's something I'll continue to try and do."
Lions List Manager Dom Ambrogio said Daniher had impressed everyone at the Club since arriving at the end of 2020 and he was thrilled to secure his signature for a further two years.
“Joe hasn’t missed a beat since joining the Lions,’’ he said.
“He set the tone in his first pre-season at the Club by being one of the only players to do every single session and he took that base and turned it into a very good debut season for our Club.
“His second pre-season has been just as productive.
“This extension is reward for Joe for the great start he’s made with the Lions and for us it is about locking away one of the key planks of our side to a longer-term deal.”
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