Former Lion Mitch Robinson has called out the over-the-top criticism of Joe Daniher in the leadup to Brisbane’s Round 4 game, offering an insight into the maligned key forward.
Daniher was a mainstay in last week’s headlines after a disappointing showing against the Western Bulldogs in Round 3, but rebounded for the Lions with two goals and 20 touches in a resounding win over Collingwood.
Robinson, who played alongside Daniher for three years before retiring at the conclusion of Brisbane’s 2022 campaign, took to Twitter on Thursday night to praise the former Bomber’s reported decision to avoid the media in the aftermath of the victory over the Magpies.
Hearing Joe refuse to chat to the media post game is awesome, getting absolute bashed all week and expect him to just be like “yeah great response by the boys”.
— Mitch Robinson (@MitchRobinson05) April 7, 2023
He isn’t a fan of it to begin with but love to see others follow.
He said the “barrage” that Daniher copped was at a level rarely seen in the modern game.
“Knowing him personally, he’s not a fan of the media regardless, he’s pretty introverted and he likes to keep to himself. To be honest, we don’t see him too much around the club other than at training, he likes to hang out with his partner and his newborn,” Daniher told SENQ Mornings.
“He’s always been like that, but... (it's like) cut the head off the bloke and just put anyone in the position.
“I understand journalists, they have to sell articles and clickbait stuff, if there’s a focus that week then everyone jumps on board, it was pretty big for him personally.
“That happens to a lot of players and there’s a level of respect and what you can say about players and is it warranted… I just feel like for Joe, that week was a bit too full on.”
While Robinson called out the criticism, he added that it probably played a role in Daniher’s emphatic response.
“Yes, we’re in Brisbane, we don’t see too much of the media, but everyone does get told what’s going on in the media through chatter in the four walls or their mates and family sending them links… people know which journos go after certain players and I disliked it,” he continued.
“He’s had a big week, everyone was trying to get a response from him in the media and he just said he didn’t want to do it, and I liked that.
“On the flip side, they probably got a response out of him, to be honest as well, but it’s not like he’s going out there and not trying to play well.
“I thought it was a bit too much.”
Robinson, who has taken up a role with SEN post-playing career, added that he wouldn’t feel comfortable dishing out the feedback that Daniher has copped in the past fortnight.
“As a past player and someone who’s delving in a bit of media stuff, I couldn’t stomach having a crack at someone like that and going to those degrees, it doesn’t sit well with me,” he explained.
Daniher has booted seven goals in the opening month of the 2022 season, with Brisbane holding an even 2-2 record after its latest win.