SEN footy analyst David King has anointed Essendon spearhead Joe Daniher as the next superstar forward, declaring he has the potential to become the game’s best player by the end of 2018.
The 23-year-old kicked a career best 65 goals last season, easily surpassing his 43 in 2016, and with the Bombers again expected to play a fast flowing brand of football he is likely to get plenty of opportunities to again boot a major haul.
The two-time premiership player says his ability to conjure goals from any situation sets him apart from most.
"I think Joe Daniher could be the best player in the comp at the end of the season and that's as a unique forward. I think he'll go past Buddy Franklin this year as the number one forward,” King said on Whateley.
"He kicks goals off the ground. He's a wonderful crumbing player, he can kick goals from 60 metres out, a little bit like what Franklin did in his infancy. You just see this rare talent that can do different things."
“Nobody enjoys their football more than Joe. If they get their offence rolling he will be the pea in the pod at the end of it all.
“Joe could have an outstanding year.”
With Orazio Fantasia to miss the early rounds due to knee surgery, it will place further load on Daniher, with the South Australian having kicked 39 and 29 goals over the past two seasons.
"The player they're going to miss is Orazio Fantasia. He's a gun. A super talent in the AFL program,” King said. Essendon begins its 2018 campaign on Friday night against Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.