Daniher, son of Anthony, made his debut against Carlton on Friday night as the first graduate of the Academy drafted by the club.
“I have no doubt had the James Hird Academy not been in place Joe wouldn’t have played league football this year but because of the James Hird Academy and we were able to fast track and develop him he is seeing the benefits of it now,” Dodoro said.
The Academy is set up to develop potential father/son selections for the club through training camps and functions.
“The benefit of the James Hird Academy is that we were able to develop him for two years prior to him getting drafted,” Dodoro said.
“We had the advantage of having him in our environment, he knew all the coaches and all of his coaches.”
“The fitness staff worked closely with the Calder Cannons therefore he had a planned and managed program leading up to this year when he was drafted.”
Daniher said after the match he was proud to be able to continue the tradition of the his family name being associated with the Essendon Football Club.
“The club has been so good in looking after the Daniher’s and not only my uncles and dad but also my brother and my extended family,” he said on The Hangar.
“I couldn’t be happier to be a part of that and be a part of the Essendon Football Club.”
The 19-year-old big man said his first match on Friday night was a big step in his development process.
“I felt like the game went for about 20 minutes it was just an absolute blur,” Daniher said.
“It is a little bit of a monkey off the back just to get the first one out of the way and to get a win.”
“You can not put it into words, it is everything I have ever dreamt of since I was a little kid and I have put in a little bit of hard work but there is a lot to go.”
Participants from the James Hird Academy will form a Guard of Honour for Essendon players as they enter the arena for Saturday night’s match against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.
