Lions co-captain Harris Andrews' telling reaction to Joe Daniher retirement question
Updated . First published
The Lions' 60-point grand final thrashing of the Swans was "very, very likely" to be Joe Daniher's final AFL game.
In the dying minutes, the 30-year-old booted a goal to put the "final stamp on the game" amid heavy speculation he would hang up the boots.
Daniher was mobbed by teammates after kicking the goal, which led many to believe the retirement rumours were true.
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"Look at them get around that man. I wonder what that means," Brian Taylor said in commentary for Seven.
"Goodness gracious me, I've never seen such a celebration.
Joe Daniher celebrates a goal late in the grand final. via Getty Images
"That to me had a look about it of 'I've done my job here'."
Daniher's parents, Anthony and Edna, were also captured crying in the stands as the ball went through the posts.
Post-match, the enigmatic star was quick to dodge any direct questions on his future in the game.
"It was a beautiful feeling, something I'll look back on for sure," Daniher told Seven's coverage.
Daniher was then mobbed by his teammates. Getty
"To have the game done in the last quarter and to be able to enjoy it with your teammates in the last quarter."
Lions chief executive Greg Swann had earlier on Saturday told SEN Daniher had not informed the club of any plans to retire.
"He hasn't said anything to us, but you never know with Joe," Swann said.
But on Sunday morning AFL journalist Damian Barrett told Nine's Sunday AFL Footy Show club officials have known for about a month, and they would now be making a "concerted pitch" to keep him on the field.
"There is now a very, very strong chance he has played his last game of football," he said.
"There was a conditioning and an awareness of that news, (Daniher) made Brisbane Lions officials aware prior to the game, I believe it was a month ago or thereabouts.
"There had been talk during the course of the season that he might be considering his future. I believe there were key people at the Lions aware of that going into the game.
"While there is still some wiggle room, there will be a concerted pitch to have him revisit this decision.
Anthony and Edna Daniher sit in the stands. Nine
"At the moment there is a strong conditioning and even expectation that is it, which is extraordinary given how well he played in that grand final, how well he played in last year's grand final and how well he played in big matches for the Brisbane Lions."
Lions co-captain Harris Andrews suggested the playing group were also expecting Daniher her pull up stumps.
"That was all a bit of a shock for us and we are so pumped for Joey, he is a premiership player now and he has been massive for us, we absolutely love him," he said later on the program.
"He is someone that I have really leaned on for my leadership over the cast couple of years. He has been incredible and super invested. We're so pumped for him.
"However that plays out, it will play out. We know that Joey has a lot more going on than necessarily football but I couldn't be happier for him.
"He has worked so hard, and just pumped for him."
Harris was also asked if he would "have a crack" at trying to convince Daniher to stay.
"Potentially, but I cannot control what Joey does," he said.
"He is a lot more than a footballer, Joey, he brings so much to the group and at the end of the day it is his decision.
"You can see throughout the finals series how driven he was to perform well. He has been incredible.
"We will just enjoy this for the moment and whatever happens, happens."
Drafted into the league under the father-son rule in 2012, the son of Sydney and Essendon great Anthony made his debut with the Bombers.
Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron, Kai Lohmann, Eric Hipwood and Callum Ah Chee of the Lions celebrate winning premiership during the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Getty
Following an eight-year journey with the Bombers, Daniher made the move to the Sunshine state to join the Brisbane Lions in 2021.
Just a fortnight ago, Daniher was pronounced as Brisbane's hero after booting four goals, including the match winner to ensure the club a flight to decide in Melbourne.
His efforts also saw him selected in the 44-man All-Australian squad for the second consecutive season.
