Essendon coach John Worsfold is confident star forward Joe Daniher will be at the club next year.
Rumours have swirled regarding Daniher’s future after the 25-year-old met with Sydney CEO Tom Harley earlier in the year.
Since then, teammate Zach Merrett revealed Daniher would be taking some time off to weigh up his future.
Despite this, Worsfold says Essendon remain in a strong position to retain Daniher.
“We hold all the cards because he’s contracted,” he told SEN WA Breakfast.
“Unless we want to turf him out, he’s not going anywhere.
“I’ve stated it several times, I want to see Joey getting back to playing his absolute best footy and being a superstar of the Essendon footy club … so that’s my focus.
“It’s been a tough couple of years for him, watching him go through it (injuries) and the frustration and the doubt of how his body is holding up.
“If a club comes to us saying we want Joe desperately then we’re obliged to listen to them.
“But at this stage, (we’ve got) no intention at all to see Joe playing anywhere else other than Essendon and playing is the key word."
The Bombers announced a succession plan that will see Ben Rutten replace Worsfold as senior coach in 2021.