Garry Lyon says incoming Essendon coach Ben Rutten needs to “confront” Joe Daniher’s contract situation in the coming weeks.
Rutten will officially take over at Essendon in 2021 after a coaching succession plan which has seen Rutten and outgoing coach John Worsfold work in tandem this season.
After a disappointing year, the Bombers have several list decisions to make during the upcoming trade and free agency period and Lyon said addressing Daniher’s future should be top of the agenda.
“Ben Rutten’s challenges are great and numerous,” he said on AFL Nation.
“Implementing a game style is one thing but what he needs to do is determine where his list is right now and Joe Daniher is the first thing he needs to confront on that.
“If Joe came into the office and says ‘I love this club and I don’t want to go anyone and lead the charge’, Ben Rutten would be the happiest man in the world.
“If (Daniher) comes in and starts prevaricating, then he’s not what you want I don’t think. What are you going to do? Essendon has got to get into the market (for another forward) if Joe (doesn’t want to be there).
“This is the hard thing isn’t it, when you’ve got someone like Joe … we’ve got no idea whether he’s committed.
“Amongst everything, there’s still some flaw in his games. He can mark the damn thing as good as anyone and then kick it as bad as anyone.”
“Don’t tell me Joe Daniher is a star. Joe isn’t a star because he can’t kick for goal.”
The key forward, who has only just returned to the field after a long-term groin problem, is a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
The likes of Geelong and Brisbane are two clubs who are reportedly interested in securing him.
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