Lions back-to-back premiership hopes suffer blow as star retires

Brisbane Lions hopes of winning back-to-back AFL premierships have suffered a major blow, with star forward Joe Daniher retiring, just days after their grand final win.

The Lions odds of winning the premiership next season have now eased from $6, out to $6.50, with Daniher finishing this season with 58 goals from 27 matches.

The former Bomber had the most shots on goal in the AFL this year with 109, although Cats star Jeremy Cameron had just two less and played two less games than the Lions star.

The Lions will now need to rejig their forward line, although the emergence of Logan Morris, who kicked 24 goals from 19 games does soften the blow somewhat.

Daniher, 30, leaves the AFL after 204 games and 395 goals and adds another chapter to the remarkable Daniher story in the AFL.

The 201cm forward reportedly told teammates of his decision just hours before the Lions presentation, held on Thursday night.

Daniher started his career at Essendon after being picked up as a father-son in 2012.

A horror injury run meant he was restricted to just 15 games in his last three years at the Bombers, but his career resurgence in Brisbane was stunning after joining them in 2021.

Daniher has been the Lions barometer in a lot of ways, with 2024 arguably his best season, in a premiership year.

Daniher is the son of Anthony, who played over 100 games for both Sydney and Essendon.

The Lions will have room for improvement next year with Levi Ashcroft, the brother of Norm Smith Medallist Will, set to join them under the father-son rule.

They will also have Keidean Coleman and Lincoln McCarthy returning from long term knee injuries, with both in their starting 22 before their mishaps.

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