Essendon great Tim Watson has suggested the Bombers utilise spearhead Joe Daniher in a more free-moving role rather than solely staying put inside forward 50.
The 24-year-old key forward has struggled in the club’s first two games of 2018, being held goalless in Essendon’s disappointing defeat to Fremantle in Perth on Saturday after two goals in their Round 1 win over Adelaide.
While Daniher’s slow start to the season is no great cause for concern according to Watson, he has recommended Essendon give their forward the freedom to roam the ground and have a greater impact on matches.
“He is a freedom-type forward. He likes to get up the ground and likes to move about. He is not big, hustling, bustling man-on-man, use your strength,” the former Bombers skipper told SEN Breakfast.
“Having watched him closely over the years, there has been times when he has been released, he has gone into the ruck for five or so minutes and that has given him the freedom to move and play the instinctive way.
“Maybe that’s what he needs to return to.”
A shift to the wing was also floated by Watson, believing such a move would cause opposition defensive structures trouble.
“No side is just going to allow Joe Daniher to sit out there on the wing, so you’re going to shift their defence just by your placement of him,” he said.
Essendon take on the struggling Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday at 3:20PM.
Listen to the best bits of today's SEN Breakfast with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson below: