News
Future Bomber ready to blossom
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Mark Macgugan for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1
He isn't there just yet, but future Essendon tall Joe Daniher already has the mindset of a professional footballer.
Daniher, the son of former Bomber and Sydney Swan Anthony, is one of 30 elite prospects in the level two AIS-AFL Academy squad, which trained at the Whitten Oval on Tuesday.
The 200cm ruckman/forward committed to Essendon a year ago, and believes his time with the academy, coupled with his Calder Cannons and Vic Metro duties, will provide the ideal preparation for his move to Windy Hill in 2013.
"I'm loving being in a professional environment like this," Daniher told AFL.com.au after academy training.
"It's a perfect introduction to step into what I hope to be a successful AFL career.
"We're fortunate enough to be able to have great AFL players coaching us, and really getting an insight into what it takes."
Former Sydney Swans champion Michael O'Loughlin is in charge of the group, which will tour Europe later this year.
Brad Johnson, Matthew Lloyd and Glen Jakovich are O'Loughlin's assistants, the quartet passing on a combined 1213 games' experience to the talented juniors, who will all be eligible for this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Johnson, Lloyd and Jakovich are each personally mentoring 10 players.
"What kid, at age 16 or 17, has got Matthew Lloyd on his speed dial, and can go, 'Lloydy, I'm having a bit of trouble with my goalkicking'?" O'Loughlin said.
"Or, 'Glen, I'm playing on a really good forward'.
"They've got first class access a phone call away."
Daniher is also working with the conditioning and development staff at Windy Hill, with a focus on putting extra muscle on his slender frame before next year.
He hopes the extended preparation will see him well equipped to handle the demands of modern big-time football.
"At the moment I see myself more as a forward, but I'm sure the ruck's going to come once I get some more kilos on and my body fully develops," Daniher said.
"The way the game's heading, that's sort of the position that I want to take up – a ruckman that can go forward.
"I've just got to get all the conditioning and that sort of thing and I'll be in a good position to do that."
Three other father-son prospects are in the level two AIS-AFL squad.
Jack Viney (son of Todd) has committed to Melbourne, with James Stewart (Craig) eligible to be picked by Collingwood, and Jordan Bourke (Damian) on Geelong's radar.
The AFL has doubled its AIS-AFL intake in 2012, splitting the elite pathway into two separate age-based squads of 30.
The level one squad, made up of 16-year-old players not old enough to be drafted this year, will tour New Zealand.
"It's about being able to keep an eye on the guys' development, from the under-16 championships through to the under-18s," O'Loughlin said.
"For these young blokes it's a chance to be in an elite environment and to pick up things really early, so that when they get to 18 or 19 they know exactly what's going on, and hopefully they get to an AFL club and they're ready to go straight away."
Daniher, the son of former Bomber and Sydney Swan Anthony, is one of 30 elite prospects in the level two AIS-AFL Academy squad, which trained at the Whitten Oval on Tuesday.
The 200cm ruckman/forward committed to Essendon a year ago, and believes his time with the academy, coupled with his Calder Cannons and Vic Metro duties, will provide the ideal preparation for his move to Windy Hill in 2013.
"I'm loving being in a professional environment like this," Daniher told AFL.com.au after academy training.
"It's a perfect introduction to step into what I hope to be a successful AFL career.
"We're fortunate enough to be able to have great AFL players coaching us, and really getting an insight into what it takes."
Former Sydney Swans champion Michael O'Loughlin is in charge of the group, which will tour Europe later this year.
Brad Johnson, Matthew Lloyd and Glen Jakovich are O'Loughlin's assistants, the quartet passing on a combined 1213 games' experience to the talented juniors, who will all be eligible for this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Johnson, Lloyd and Jakovich are each personally mentoring 10 players.
"What kid, at age 16 or 17, has got Matthew Lloyd on his speed dial, and can go, 'Lloydy, I'm having a bit of trouble with my goalkicking'?" O'Loughlin said.
"Or, 'Glen, I'm playing on a really good forward'.
"They've got first class access a phone call away."
Daniher is also working with the conditioning and development staff at Windy Hill, with a focus on putting extra muscle on his slender frame before next year.
He hopes the extended preparation will see him well equipped to handle the demands of modern big-time football.
"At the moment I see myself more as a forward, but I'm sure the ruck's going to come once I get some more kilos on and my body fully develops," Daniher said.
"The way the game's heading, that's sort of the position that I want to take up – a ruckman that can go forward.
"I've just got to get all the conditioning and that sort of thing and I'll be in a good position to do that."
Three other father-son prospects are in the level two AIS-AFL squad.
Jack Viney (son of Todd) has committed to Melbourne, with James Stewart (Craig) eligible to be picked by Collingwood, and Jordan Bourke (Damian) on Geelong's radar.
The AFL has doubled its AIS-AFL intake in 2012, splitting the elite pathway into two separate age-based squads of 30.
The level one squad, made up of 16-year-old players not old enough to be drafted this year, will tour New Zealand.
"It's about being able to keep an eye on the guys' development, from the under-16 championships through to the under-18s," O'Loughlin said.
"For these young blokes it's a chance to be in an elite environment and to pick up things really early, so that when they get to 18 or 19 they know exactly what's going on, and hopefully they get to an AFL club and they're ready to go straight away."
Your comments
Showing of 11 comments. Show more
Provided the knee is fixed and there is not too much weight of expectation on his shoulders, Joe could be one of our best "gets" since Uncle Terry (sorry South Melbourne but, fair dinkum, what were you thinking? Giving us a dynasty!Anyway, we are eternally grateful. How did Nifty Nev work out for you?). Joe, you sound like a true professional already. Good luck.
- Wesley Hull (posted 11/01/2012 10:14:11 AM) 
What a brilliant program. Incredible opportunity for these young hopefuls, to learn & develop under the talented & successful ex-players. Joe I like your attitude. Will be wonderful to see a Daniher on our playing list again.
- Gail Taylor (posted 11/01/2012 10:25:33 AM)
Joe sounds like a great catch for us. I'm sure all clubs nowadays take a look at 'genetic quotient', if that info is available, and it certainly is in Joe's case. Dossiers of it! Which side of the 'Daniher Data' does he fall? Brother Darcy had his problems, unfortunately, but Dad and uncles TD and Chris had solid/long careers. Terry's resilience, please, and Neale's brilliance, not knees! Being skinny and 200cm, for gawd's sake do not rush Joe. The 'beefing' must proceed with care. Those hammies and other leg bits have a long way to go!
- Kris Bayne (posted 11/01/2012 10:52:05 AM)
Fingers crossed,and no further comment req...Kris has said it all for many :-) :-)
- Noel Shields (posted 11/01/2012 1:33:58 PM)
Another Daniher star at Essendon is well overdue. Looks like Joe might fit the bill.
- Alan De Menezes (posted 11/01/2012 1:40:29 PM)
It seems almost certain that big Joe has inherited the Daniher DNA for sporting prowess, because for the last couple of years he has been rated by experts as one of the best 2 players for his age in Australia. His dad Tony, and uncles, Terry, Neil, and Chris were all very talented and versatile, so Joe probably will be too, and at 200cm is considerably taller than any of them.
- Gordon Moss snr (posted 11/01/2012 4:04:25 PM)
The level of professionalism in our club now is awesome. And this has been achieved in 12 months. Joe sounds really happy he chose Essendon,& having him in the environment well before he can be drafted gives him a taste of what is to come and building up his body gradually will help him long term. I still believe letting Darcy retire was a BIG mistake. A year out of the AFL, his body rested and healed, he may well want to return. Here's hoping we don't lose him to another club.
- Mary Tovey (posted 11/01/2012 8:24:00 PM)
now you can understand why they didnt worry about losing jenkins. Our tall stocks are burgeoning. Carlsile, Gumby, Hurley, Ryder, Hille, Belly and Daniher 2013.... Huge.
- Marc Collis (posted 11/01/2012 9:24:14 PM)
a ruckman that can go forward - nearly as good as a forward who can go be a champion part time ruckman!! do it Joe and let's not forget young Vanders from Surrey Park coming thru the system too! will be a great pick up for the mighty black & reds!!
- Bob Davies (posted 12/01/2012 8:36:09 AM)
At 200 cms Gordon Moss, he's a big boy. At around 17 years of age,he will still be growing. Maybe we should put the number 1 gurnsey aside for Joe ?
- Mary Tovey (posted 12/01/2012 2:26:13 PM)
Yes Mary, it is possible that Joe will grow another 1,2,or even 3cm, and what an exciting prospect that is. Also, apologies to Neale, for not spelling his name correctly.
- Gordon Moss snr (posted 12/01/2012 3:48:19 PM)
Showing of 11 comments. Show more
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