Brisbane forward Joe Daniher has locked in his future early, signing a new contract to remain at Brisbane through until 2025.
Daniher, 27, was recruited by the Lions during the 2020 trade period and excelled in numerous areas after multiple recent injury-riddled seasons with Essendon.
Not only did he play every game, he kicked a goal or more in all his matches bar one, showcasing a level of consistency he had not reached since his last full season of 2017.
He ended the season with 46 majors, including three bags of four.
The former Bomber originally signed a deal to take him through until 2023 when he joined the club and he explained the reasons why he’s so keen to stay.
“It's been fantastic,” he said.
“I’m really enjoying the place, really enjoying the city. The team and club itself is in great shape.
“I think I'm at the stage of my career where my role is to have the biggest influence on the group as I can and that's something I'm always consistently trying to do.
“Whether that be trying to help the processes and the way that we play or imparting that knowledge on the rest of the team.
“Basically, it comes down to being the best teammate I can be throughout the week and on game day.
“That's my role and that's something I'll continue to try and do."
Including Daniher, six Lions kicked over 25 goals in 2021, taking some of the pressure off the key tall at his new club.
Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio praised Daniher’s pre-seasons as a key part of his success over his first year, anticipating he’ll carry that form through.
“Joe hasn’t missed a beat since joining the Lions,” Ambrogio said.
“He set the tone in his first pre-season at the Club by being one of the only players to do every single session and he took that base and turned it into a very good debut season for our Club.
“His second pre-season has been just as productive.
“This extension is reward for Joe for the great start he’s made with the Lions and for us it is about locking away one of the key planks of our side to a longer-term deal.”
Daniher will need to cover for the absence of fellow tall Eric Hipwood in 2022, who sustained an ACL injury late last season.