Brisbane Lions premiership forward Joe Daniher has announced his retirement.
Daniher, who was contracted for 2025, informed the club on Thursday he will call time on his career after 204 games and 395 goals across 12 seasons.
The star forward started his journey with Essendon as a father-son selection in the 2012 national draft before arriving at Brisbane for the 2021 season.
Now the 30-year-old hangs up his boots as a premiership player, All-Australian, Crichton Medal winner as Essendon’s Best and Fairest and an Anzac Medallist.
Daniher also finished his career as a four-time leading goalkicker with Essendon and two-time Brisbane leading goalkicker.
“I retire knowing I gave my absolute all to the Brisbane Lions and Essendon, and I am extremely proud of what I achieved individually and as a team,” Daniher said.
“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunities given to me by both Brisbane and Essendon and I want to thank both clubs and their incredible fans for their support.
“It’s been an incredible journey here at the Brisbane Lions to go from a club that was really struggling at the bottom of the ladder to winning a premiership.
“As I finish up my career, I do so with the club in a great position on and off the field and I can’t wait to see the Brisbane Lions experience more success in the future.
“I am beyond excited by the squad we have at the Lions and especially the young talent we have coming through that are the future stars of this club.
“I want to thank everyone that has played a part in my AFL career and helping me become the player and person I am today.”
Daniher spent four seasons with Brisbane where he quickly won the hearts of many Lions fans, particularly after an incredible finals series in 2023 and 2024.
Brisbane Lions General Manager Football, Danny Daly said the club farewelled Daniher with mixed emotions.
“Joe is a generational type of player that will go down as one of the best forwards to have played AFL,” Daly said.
“We are extremely privileged that he played for the Brisbane Lions because he was a huge key to us experiencing the success we have and winning the premiership.
“What I love about Joey is that he has done it his way his whole career and in doing so has become a much-loved cult figure of our club and the AFL.
“We are sad to see him hang up the boots and call time on his career, but he does so with the full blessing of everyone at the Brisbane Lions.
“On behalf of the club I would like to thank Joe, his wonderful wife Adele and their families for all they have given to the Brisbane Lions and wish them all the best.”
