Daniher stuns teammates with retirement news
After playing a starring role in the Lions' grand final win over the Swans, gun forward Joe Daniher has told teammates he's walking away.
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Star forward Joe Daniher has confirmed to Brisbane Lions teammates that he is retiring, dropping the bombshell days after helping his team to a premiership.
9News chief footy reporter Tom Morris broke the news on Thursday afternoon.
Daniher's decision to hang up the boots follows heavy speculation surrounding his playing future after reports first emerged that he would retire in the build-up to last Saturday's grand final.
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The 30-year-old is contracted to the Lions for next season but has decided to call time on his storied career which includes an Anzac Medal in 2017 All-Australian nod in 2017, Essendon's Crichton Medal in 2017 and a Rising Star nomination in 2014.https://twitter.com/tommorris32/status/1841706648433525060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Daniher was pivotal in Brisbane's 60-point win against Sydney.
The key forward kicked 2.4 and racked up 16 disposals, including eight marks and four clearances after being thrown into the contest for back-up ruck Darcy Fort.
In the dying minutes, Daniher kicked Brisbane's final goal to put the "final stamp" on the match.
He was subsequently mobbed by teammates in celebration as his parents, Anthony and Edna, were also captured crying in the stands. This out-of-character show of emotion caused many pundits to raise an eyebrow.
Known to keep to himself, Daniher was quick to dodge any direct questions post-match and quickly disappeared from Brisbane's main dressing room, instead spending time with his family in an adjoining room.
"I retire knowing I gave my absolute all to the Brisbane Lions and Essendon Bombers, and I am extremely proud of what I achieved individually and as a team," Daniher said in a club statement.
"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.
"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."
According to leading AFL journalist Damian Barrett, Brisbane officials made a "concerted pitch" to change Daniher's mind following the grand final.
Since debuting for the Essendon in 2013, Daniher has gone on to play 204 senior games across 12 seasons between the Bombers and Lions — booting 395 goals in the process.
After being taken by Essendon at pick 10 as a father-son selection in the 2012 national draft, Daniher made the move to Brisbane ahead of the 2021 season.
In his final season, Daniher featured in 27 games where he averaged 15 disposals, six marks and two goals a game.
His efforts led to selection in the 44-man All-Australian squad for a second consecutive year.
The news means that one of the VFL/AFL longest streaks will continue with no premiership team in history able to field the same line-up in a subsequent match.
