Brisbane Lions forward Joe Daniher has retired from AFL football, just days after winning a premiership.
Daniher, who was contracted for 2025, informed the club on Thursday that he would call time on his career after 204 games and 395 goals across 12 seasons.
Joe Daniher is hanging up the boots.Credit: AFL Photos
“I retire knowing I gave my absolute all to the Brisbane Lions and Essendon, and I am extremely proud of what I achieved individually and as a team,” Daniher said.
“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunities given to me by both Brisbane and Essendon and I want to thank both clubs and their incredible fans for their support.
“It’s been an incredible journey here at the Brisbane Lions to go from a club that was really struggling at the bottom of the ladder to winning a premiership.
“As I finish up my career, I do so with the club in a great position on and off the field and I can’t wait to see the Brisbane Lions experience more success in the future.
Daniher’s final game in the AFL was a premiership win.Credit: AFL Photos
“I am beyond excited by the squad we have at the Lions and especially the young talent we have coming through that are the future stars of this club.
“I want to thank everyone that has played a part in my AFL career and helping me become the player and person I am today.”
The 30-year-old started his career with Essendon, where his family has a storied history, as a father-son selection in the 2012 national draft before arriving at Brisbane for the 2021 season.
Though his father, Anthony, played 115 games for the Swans, he also played 118 for the Bombers and Joe’s uncles Neale, Terry and Chris also played for Essendon. The four senior Danihers famously played a game together for the club in 1990.
His move to Brisbane, where he played for four seasons, was based in part on an attempt to reduce the scrutiny from being a high-profile AFL player in Melbourne.
Lions football manager Danny Daly said the club farewelled Daniher with mixed emotions.
“Joe is a generational type of player that will go down as one of the best forwards to have played AFL,” Daly said.
“We are extremely privileged that he played for the Brisbane Lions because he was a huge key to us experiencing the success we have and winning the premiership.
“What I love about Joey is that he has done it his way his whole career and in doing so has become a much-loved cult figure of our club and the AFL.
“We are sad to see him hang up the boots and call time on his career, but he does so with the full blessing of everyone at the Brisbane Lions.
“On behalf of the club I would like to thank Joe, his wonderful wife Adelle and their families for all they have given to the Brisbane Lions and wish them all the best.”
Daniher will attend the Lions’ best and fairest on Thursday night.
He is a leading forward in the AFL close to the top of his game, but his decision to walk away from the game isn’t entirely a surprise.
Speculation has been rife since before last Saturday’s decider that he would pull the pin after the game.
He leaves the AFL as a premiership player, All-Australian, Essendon’s best-and-fairest winner and an Anzac medallist. He was also a four-time leading goalkicker with Essendon and two-time Brisbane leading goalkicker.
Daniher has been a super-consistent player at Brisbane, playing virtually every match for the Lions after his final seasons at Essendon were marred by injury.
Carlton’s Charlie Curnow has won two of the past three Coleman Medals (2022 and 2023) and Jesse Hogan was this year’s leading goal-kicker with 69 goals. But Daniher has booted 46, 39, 61 and 58 goals respectively since his move to the sunshine state.
with Scott Spits
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
