The older Brisbane Lions star Joe Daniher gets, the ‘clearer’ he becomes about his own expectations.
AFL: Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has also expressed his frustrations regarding the Hawthorn racism investigation following Alastair Clarkson’s explosive comments.
Lions co-captain Lachie Neale suggested as much earlier this season soon after Daniher had been criticised for his performance in Brisbane’s 14-point, round 3 loss to the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Such was the criticism that Lions coach Chris Fagan said it had become “pick on Joe Daniher week”.
However, Fagan, like Neale, said the former Essendon forward would not have even heard about his form being questioned such was his separation from the game when he wasn’t directly involved.
“I don’t spent a lot of time focusing on that sort of stuff,” Daniher confirmed ahead of Brisbane’s clash with the Bombers at the Gabba on Saturday night.
“I’ve played AFL for a long time now, so I’m pretty clear on the expectations I have on myself and the level of performance I need to be able to put out there for the footy club.
“All those things as you get older and as you play footy for a long time get a lot clearer, so I’ve got a good understanding of that.
“It’s my job to make sure that I can play to that level on a consistent basis, and probably this year, I’ve been a little bit inconsistent.
“Though it is early on in the year, so there’s plenty of time and opportunity to iron that out as we get into the important stage of the year.”
Lions star Joe Daniher is having a ball in Brisbane Pictures: Supplied/
Joe Daniher takes on his former club on Saturday night. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
It was perhaps a different story when Daniher, now 29, was younger and living in the AFL fishbowl that is Melbourne.
“As a young footballer, you’re probably more inclined to be inconsistent because you don’t truly understand what the requirements of the team are and the challenges that come throughout a season,” he said.
“The more you play the more used to those situations you get.
“Now I feel like I’ve got terrific processes and procedures to follow to make sure that I have a good week on the training track, which gives me the best chance to perform on the weekend.”
Since losing to the Bulldogs, the Lions have won five successive games, but Daniher has warned rivals that there is plenty of improvement left in Brisbane.
“We’re probably looking more at how we’re playing regardless of the results, and there’s certainly a lot of factors in our game that we’d like to tidy up and improve upon … and we’re looking forward to that challenge,” he said.
“It’s fortunate that it is early on in the season, and we’ve still got time to do that, but it is also important to win enough games so that you can cement yourself in that top eight.
“It’s an exciting time to be at the Brisbane Lions. We’ve got a really strong mature group, and we’re pretty excited about what we can achieve.”
Daniher has also been impressed with Essendon’s form this season under the guidance of former Lion Brad Scott.
“I think they’ve surprised a few people. We know at their best that they’re a terrific pressure team and they’ve got a really attacking brand of footy too,” he said.
“We’re planning for them to be at their best and there’s no doubt they will be up at the Gabba.”
Daniher was made available to News Corp Australia by TEMPUR, whose ErgoSportive adjustable base bed, in partnership with GARMIN, has been designed to help athletes and fitness-focused individuals sleep better and recover faster.