by woodublieve12 » Thu Nov 21, 2019 9:37 am
Joe Daniher speaks for the first time since off-season Sydney trade request
Sam Edmund and Michael Randall, Herald Sun
November 21, 2019 9:51am
Subscriber only
Joe Daniher said he knew from the start a move to Sydney was going to be “difficult”.
But he says he made the decision to ask for the trade from the Bombers in conjunction with friends and family in a bid to “have a fresh start”.
Back at Tullamarine today, the talented, but oft-injured key forward pulled no punches in admitting to asking for the trade, while reinforcing his re-commitment to the Bombers.
“I’m excited.
“I obviously requested a trade to Sydney.
“After a long period of time working with my family and friends I felt it was the best move for me to freshen up.
“I knew I was under contract. We had some good discussions with the club and they made me aware it was going to be difficult. I understood that.
“I really wanted to take the time and be really comfortable with the decision. I knew it was going to be tough.
“It didn’t go through so we’re here now and I’m ready to get back to Essendon fully committed.”
The son for former Bomber and Swan Anthony Daniher, Joe had played all 23 games and booted 65 goals in 2017, before persistent injuries limited him to just 11 games across the past two seasons.
And he said that had taken a toll.
“I’ve played AFL for what feels like a long time now.,” he said.
“I’ve grown up in Melbourne and I’m fully aware of what it takes to be a professional footballer and what you give up.
“It was more around the last couple of years have been really difficult from an injury point of view and I felt a new start might help that.
“But it wasn’t to be so here we are and I’m ready and committed to get back into it.
“For me I just want to get out and train and train hard and provide some real leadership.”
He said he wasn’t looking ahead to next year, despite it being the end of his contract.
“The priority is my body,” he said.
“Following that will be playing and hopefully offering something on the field.
“They’ll be a lot of speculation and hypotheticals about what next year will look like.
“But the priority for me is getting out there.”
Bombers players urged the club to hold Daniher, who had a mid-season meeting with Swans chief executive Tom Harley in Sydney, to his contract during the trade period, the two clubs
unable to to terms and he was forced to stay at Tullamarine, where he is contracted until the end of 2020.
Essendon played a hard line on Daniher, asking for a player to be added on top of picks No.5 and 9, the Bombers wanting Sydney to offer a player as part of the deal.
"Fellas, it’s OK to be in pain. It’s OK to hurt. It’s OK to be sad. It’s no longer OK to suffer in silence."