Brownlow Medallist's “funny feeling” regarding star Lion's retirement

Gerard Healy isn’t completely convinced that Joe Daniher’s illustrious AFL career is over, believing he may change his mind 12 months down the road.

The 30-year-old surprised everyone when he called time on his career, following the Lions’ Grand Final victory.

It came at the peak of his powers, with Daniher making the 2024 All-Australian squad and starring in the finals series.

Healy says the grass doesn’t stay greener post-retirement for particularly long.

“I’m disappointed that Joe Daniher is leaving the game,” Healy told SEN’s Sportsday.

“I think Joe was playing the best footy of his career and he was stiff not to be All-Australian the last two years. I don’t think people have valued his role significantly enough as the forward-ruckman and I think that’s a role that should have been recognised and he was stiff to miss All-Australian.

“He went out on a huge high. Good luck to you, Joe, you’ve been fantastic, particularly for Brisbane. You were darn good at Essendon for a couple of years and to go out as a premiership player after being best on ground the previous year was a pretty high standard to leave the game in.

“It’s not over yet though, Joe. Have a spell for 12 months and then just maybe waltz back into the office of Chris Fagan and say ‘I’m back’.

“I would (keep that cap space open). Yep, it might be fanciful, but I’ve got a funny feeling Joe might have another think about it.

“The grass on the other side is green for a while, but it goes brown pretty quick.”

Healy believes the Lions can absolutely go back-to-back in 2025 despite losing their spearhead key forward.

“I think Sam Day is alright. I don’t mind Day as a replacement,” he said.

“I think they’ll be able to reinvent the wheel. I don’t think they’ll lose a flag on a failure to replace Joe.

“Ultimately, all of you got to do is get the ball on the ground in that forward line, if they have a good run with injury.

“The role that is going to be difficult to replace is Joe in the ruck. Now, that suggests they might play the two ruckmen.

“Joe in the ruck freed him up mentally, took away a lot of the pressure he felt on himself and he still kicked 60-odd goals. He was a fine player in that role.”