“No way known” Demons target Daniher will come out of retirement

There is “no way known” that Joe Daniher will play at AFL level again, according to Tim Watson.

Reports emerged on Monday that Melbourne were looking to lure the Brisbane Lions premiership star out of retirement in a bid to fill a gaping key forward hole.

Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary reported that the Demons were trying to convince Daniher, now 31, to step back into the AFL arena and play for a third club.

Demons senior coach Simon Goodwin, a former Essendon assistant coach, worked with Daniher at the Bombers for two years at the beginning of his career. He also played alongside Dees forward Jake Melksham for three seasons

“Melbourne and coach Simon Goodwin are attempting to convince Joe Daniher to return to the AFL next season, less than 12 months after he called it quits,” Cleary said on 7NEWS on Monday night.

“The 31-year-old has spent recent months in Europe and lives in northern New South Wales, but it hasn’t stopped Goodwin and the Dees making a pitch.

“Goodwin was an assistant coach at the Bombers for two years with Daniher, while Dees forward Jake Melksham — currently in the form of his life — previously called him a teammate.

“It is still seen as unlikely, however the approach highlights how keen the Demons are to bolster their key forward stocks.”

However, Demons great Garry Lyon simply cannot see it eventuating.

“That’s interesting. I don’t think Joey is coming out of retirement anytime soon,” said Lyon.

Essendon legend Watson has a close family relationship with Daniher who played 108 games and kicked 191 goals for the Bombers as a father-son prospect.

Watson is adamant that the 204-game, 395-goal Daniher won’t end his retirement to play again.

“There’s no way known that he’ll be coming out of retirement,” said the former Dons captain.

Former Lions teammate and captain Dayne Zorko also has major doubts on a potential Daniher return.

He suggested, via coach Chris Fagan, that if the two-time Lions leading goal kicker were ever to come back it would be with Brisbane.

“From our conversations with Joe in the last 24 hours, I find it very unlikely,” Zorko told SENQ Breakfast.

“He left at the peak of his game as a premiership player. I know he’s a fantastic player. He loves AFL but I don’t think he loves it that much to make a return.

“There could be calls trying but I don’t think it will happen.

“Fages said a few weeks back that if he did come back and play it would be with Brisbane. Theres no doubt clubs will reach out.

“Knowing how happy he is off the field I would find it very hard to believe he wants to strap the boots on and do a pre-season.”

Daniher announced his retirement in early October last year, just days after helping the Lions win the 2024 AFL premiership.