Former AFL forward Daniel Menzel says Joe Daniher is the Lion under the most pressure heading into the 2023 season, but believes the key target still has the potential to be among the league's elites.
Daniher joined Brisbane at the end of 2020 and has returned 85 goals in his two seasons up north. However, the 2017 All-Australian and best and fairest hasn't reached the heights he once did at Essendon at the Lions.
With the Lions tipped to challenge for the premiership in 2023 after a brilliant off-season recruiting spree, Menzel named Daniher as one who needs to take the next step.
“I think that Joe Daniher, he needs to stand up. There is pressure on him (going) into this season”, Menzel said on SEN Sportsday SA.
“Joe Daniher needs to perform to the level that everyone expected him to perform to realistically a couple of seasons ago.”
Daniher's best season came in 2017 when he booted 65 goals for the Bombers and finished fourth in the Coleman Medal.
And after playing 19 games in 2022, Daniher kicked 39 goals, the second most of any Lion for the year.
But Daniher's performance in breaking open the Elimination Final against Richmond and dragging the Lions over the line with three goals is representative of his potential.
At 28-years-old, Daniher can still improve, says Menzel.
“He hasn’t reached his heights yet and he could be anything in the comp”, Menzel stated.
“He could be as good as Buddy Franklin at his best.”
While Menzel believes the Lions’ midfield is premiership material, an improvement in defence is needed to reach the ultimate glory.
“The strength for mine of Brisbane, is their midfield bat so deep right now”, Menzel added.
“Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage, you got Zac Bailey, Jarrod Lyons, Dayne Zorko and (Will) Ashcroft to go in there as well. And 'Big O' (Oscar McInerney) in the ruck is improving as well. I mean how’s that for a midfield!
“Their weakness is clearly their team defence. They were (ranked) 10th in 2022. My question there is can they hold up in team defence?
“The pressure gage for Brisbane this year is extreme. There is no doubt about that.”
Brisbane finished sixth at the end of the 2022 home and away season and were ultimately knocked out in the Preliminary Final against the eventual premiers in Geelong.
The Lions have been one of the most consistent outfits in recent years, being a mainstay of the top eight over the last four years.