Joe Daniher acknowledges his accuracy in front of goal has been ‘disappointing’ this season but he says he’s committed to improving.

The 22-year-old spearhead has kicked 24 goals and 22 behinds this year, including two goals three against St Kilda on Sunday.

“This year has been really disappointing,” Daniher told Fox Footy’s On the Couch.

“I think I took some really good steps going forward last year and I haven’t continued that this year.

“For myself I think it’s an exciting opportunity now to really get down to some hard work and try to take some big steps forward.

“I see it as a big opportunity in my game to improve and hopefully that continues sooner rather than later.”

Daniher said there are no restrictions on the amount of shots at goal he can have at training and that scope is something he’s looking to make the most of.

“I understand how important it is for myself and the team and kicking as many balls as possible is what I’m doing at the moment,” Daniher said.

“I’m trying to make as big an inroads as I can.”

While his accuracy may not have improved, Daniher's output is most other key statistical categories is trending higher.

This year he's avaeraging career highs for disposals, contested possessions, metres gained, score involvements and marks.

Now in his fourth AFL season, Daniher's career goal kicking record stands at 89 goals and 75 behinds.

Last season he booted 34 goals and 22 behinds when working closely with Essendon’s all-time leading goal scorer Matthew Lloyd.

“Me and Lloydy have a fantastic relationship as friends and as work colleagues last year,” Daniher said.

“Going forward I’ll keep using him as a resource on the phone or when we catch up for coffee.

“I haven’t used him this year – I’ve really wanted to look after it on my own.  I haven’t quite got the results so I’ll have to have a few chats with Lloydy.”

Lloyd and Daniher identified the technical areas that needed addressing when they worked together during the 2015 season.

That work is continuing this season, with Daniher trying to eliminate flaws that have crept into his action.

“I’ve naturally got a really high ball drop and I’m working towards trying to get that lowered just to take out that wayward drop that I’ve had a lot of," Daniher said.

“And the second one is just over kicking the ball. I feel like when I over kick the ball I get a lot of drift and swing on the ball and I’m trying to kick through it in a more fluent motion to get it to hold its line a bit more.”

Daniher is part of Essendon’s leadership group this season and against St Kilda on Sunday, he was the most experienced forward with 63 games under his belt.

“I feel like I’ve tipped off my apprenticeship now and can really help guys around me and we can develop together,” he said.

“To build more games together is something that we’re looking forward to – building a forward group that can stay together for a long time.”

More broadly, Daniher and his fellow leadership group members are driving an elite culture they hope will take the club into its next successful era.

He also wants to ensure Essendon's returning players return to a club that has taken significant steps forward.

“We want the football club to look like a really professional place,” he said. 

“It has taken a big jump since the guys left so we want them to come into an environment that is more developed than it was 12 months ago.

“That’s our job at the minute and hopefully when we get to that pre-season next year they’re really excited by how far we’ve come.”