AFL trades 2020: Brisbane recruit Joe Daniher confident Lions can fix the forward’s injury woes

Brisbane recruit Joe Daniher is out to follow in the footsteps of other Lions newcomers by turning around his injury-riddled AFL career.

Daniher arrives at the Gabba following his trade from Essendon, where he managed just 15 games in the past three seasons.

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The 26-year-old says there were several reasons behind his decision to opt for the Lions but their track record in getting previously injury-riddled players consistently on the field was a key factor.

Lincoln McCarthy arrived in Brisbane having managed just 29 games in seven seasons at Geelong.

Since joining the Lions, McCarthy has played 41 matches in two years.

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Veteran defender Grant Birchall also arrived at the Gabba in 2019 having played eight games across his final three seasons at Hawthorn.

The four-time premiership player played 16 matches in 2020 and Daniher revealed Birchall was among the people he spoke to while weighing up whether to move to Brisbane.

“They have a fantastic track record in that regard,” Daniher said.

“It doesn’t mean that it’s always going to continue that way, there’s certainly different challenges for different players.

“I’ve spoken to guys like Birch and other teammates who are fully supportive of the whole structure they’ve got at the Brisbane Lions at the moment.

“As a footballer all you want to do is go out and play, have a lot of fun and enjoyment playing. I’ve been starved of that in the last few years.

“From my point of view I’m really excited, can’t wait to get out there.”

Daniher’s arrival gives the Lions a trio of tall forwards along with Dan McStay and Eric Hipwood.

It’s a triumvirate that Daniher is eager to begin working as part of.

“I’m very excited to play alongside those guys,” he said.

“They’ve been a proven forward line for a number of years now, throw in Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron, these sorts of guys, it’s a pretty exciting bunch.

“I’m excited to get in and work with those guys. Firstly earn their respect and secondly be able to support them on the field.”